SHARP (helmet ratings)

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SHARP
Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme
SHARP logo - UK helmet rating scheme.png
SHARP logo -
UK motorcycle helmet rating scheme
StatusActive
Year started2007; 15 years ago (2007)
OrganizationDepartment for Transport (DfT)
Base standardsBritish Standards ,
DomainMotorcycle helmets, road safety
LicenseUK Crown copyright
Websitehttps://SHARP.dft.gov.uk

SHARP (the Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme) is a British government quality ratings scheme for motorcycle helmets, established in 2007,[1] with the objective of improving motorcycle safety on UK roads.

Helmets which are selected for testing by SHARP are purchased from consumer retailers.[2] This ensures that the helmets tested by SHARP are exactly the same as what UK motorcyclists can buy.[2] The helmets are tested, seven for each model, using 32 tests, which aim to measure the protection they offer the brain in impacts at a variety of speeds, and against both flat surfaces and kerbs.[2] It rates the helmet models from one to five stars - with five being the highest,[1] and states that a five star rated helmet "offers good levels of protection right around the helmet."[3]

Nigel Mills of the University of Birmingham criticised the SHARP scheme in a paper in 2009, examining its testing of rotational acceleration,[4] despite SHARP using the test procedures specified in British Standards , and also the United Nations World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations . The UK's Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) delivered a detailed response addressing the Nigel Mills paper in November 2009.[5] SHARP stress that irrespective of their own ratings, all helmets sold in the UK have been certified to comply with the relevant legal standard, namely ECE R22.[6] However, it also points out that there is a 70% difference in protection between a SHARP one star rating compared to their five star rating.[3]

SHARP has been given two prestigious ; the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award (2013, Motorcycle category)[7] in recognition of its outstanding contribution to improving road safety, and the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) annual Road Safety Award recognising achievements in helping motorcyclists.[8]

Some retailers of motorcycle helmets – and many riders globally – use SHARP star ratings as a selection criterion.

Certimoov ratings in France[]

Mirroring SHARP, work in France began on a similar programme in 2014. The MAIF Foundation, in partnership with the University of Strasbourg, started a project that resulted in Certimoov.[9]

Certimoov testing recreates oblique impacts and integrates a new brain model to measure the effect of a collision on the brain. The Certimoov test results classify helmets according to the level of safety – mirroring SHARP by using star rating from 0 to 5.[10]

Additionally, Certimoov tests Bicycle helmets too.


References[]

  1. ^ a b "SHARP Helmets - Frequently Asked Questions". SHARP.dft.gov.uk. SHARP Helmets. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "SHARP Helmets - SHARP Testing". SHARP.dft.gov.uk. SHARP Helmets. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  3. ^ a b "SHARP Helmets - Ratings". SHARP.dft.gov.uk. SHARP Helmets. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  4. ^ Mills, N. J. (2010). "Critical evaluation of the SHARP motorcycle helmet rating" (PDF). Int. J. Crashworthiness. Metallurgy and Materials, University of Birmingham. 15 (3): 331–342. doi:10.1080/13588260903251000. S2CID 44355566.
  5. ^ "Technical response to Nigel Mills paper". TRL.co.uk.
  6. ^ "SHARP Helmets - impact zone diagrams". SHARP.dft.gov.uk. SHARP Helmets. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  7. ^ "Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards". RoadSafetyAwards.com. . Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  8. ^ "SHARP helmets - Frequently Asked Questions, p2". SHARP.dft.gov.uk. SHARP Helmets. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  9. ^ "What is the certimoov project? | Certimoov".
  10. ^ "Home | Certimoov".

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