ONE cracked helmet has set Singapore's bike forums and helmet distributor networks abuzz.

The death of Ms Norazirah Ajis, who was killed in a traffic accident in late October, has become a hot topic on the Internet.

The photograph of the pillion rider's broken pink helmet, split in two, has raised a big question mark about the helmets sold here.

Bikers such as Mr Asmat H, 36, asked how was it possible for a helmet to break.

He told The New Paper: 'Aren't there checks to ensure that the helmets we buy are good enough for use?'

Even helmet distributors are concerned.

Mr Steven Teh, who distributes Nolan and Shoei helmets, and Mr Lee Chee Kong, who distributes American-designed KBC helmets, are surprised that such a failure could occur.

Mr Teh said: 'Helmet dealers are unsure how such a thing could have happened. We are also curious, because we would like to assure customers that our helmets are safe.'

Mr Lee said: 'There are too many variables which could have caused the helmet to break in two. While helmets go through testing and certification, it is impossible to mimic real-world crashes in the lab.'

One person who has seen helmet shells break is Mr Edward Becker, executive director at Snell, an independent US-based helmet testing and certification foundation.

Mr Becker said via e-mail: 'Generally though, this (shells breaking) is rare and is usually attributed to impurities in the polycarbonate... to improper moulding processes.'

Local regulation forbids retailers from selling a helmet that is not compliant with the Singapore Standard: SS9, which tests the helmet's construction and performance.

Before a helmet receives a PSB Test Mark label, it goes through a battery of tests, a spokesman for TUV SUD PSB, the organisation responsible for certifying helmets in Singapore, said.

On average, 4 per cent of TUV SUD PSB's sampled helmet batches fail due to poor design and unsuitability of material used.

The spokesman added that 'a good helmet design should be constructed such that the energy of a severe blow is absorbed in the partial destruction of the shell or protective padding material'.

This view is shared by Dr Victor Ong, a consultant at the Emergency Medicine Department in National University Hospital.

Dr Ong said: 'A good protection system helps to reduce the impact forces reaching the skull and brain, by absorbing or dissipating the energy transferred to the head as a result of trauma, thus reducing risk of severe injuries to life and brain.'

While most motorcycle accidents in Singapore generally result in injuries to the limbs and trunk regions, about 20 to 35 per cent of them result in head injuries, Dr Ong said, citing two published local studies.

Unfortunately, advice from medical experts may have fallen on deaf ears.

Mr Teh and Mr Lee have noticed that when it comes to choosing a helmet, some would rather buy cheap or unapproved helmets than investing in reputable helmet brands.

Under the law, riders caught wearing unapproved helmets can be fined $50.

Mr Teh said: 'They buy a decent helmet for themselves, but scrimp when buying helmets for their pillions. Worse still, the riders let their pillions use old helmets passed down from friends or their fathers.'

An approved helmet can cost from as little as $30 to $200 for a moderately priced one, to above $600 for high-end ones.

Indeed, getting riders to wear locally certified helmets may be an uphill task.

The Straits Times reported that a poll of 127respondents in the Singapore Bikes Forum showed that 69 per cent said they would use non-PSB-approved helmets, as compared to 19 per cent who would wear PSB-approved ones.

There are riders in Singapore who prefer to use non-PSB approved helmets because these brands are reputable ones used by racers in MotoGP and World Super Bikes. The brands claim extensive research and development in producing the superior helmets.

'Performance' helmets

These 'performance' helmets range from $500 to $800 in price and are usually certified by Snell and DOT (Department of Transportation, a requirement made compulsory for helmet-use in the US).

Bike enthusiasts argue the standards used by the manufacturer are good enough and sometimes exceed the standard required by PSB.

Therefore, there is no need for the high-end helmets to receive another certification, as they have probably been approved by two foreign agencies (Snell/DOT) by the time it arrives in Singapore.

One rider, who gave his name only as Boy, said: 'You mean to tell me that a made-in-China $40 PSB-approved helmet is better than my $800 non-PSB approved helmet, which is worn by riders in MotoGP?

'Just because my helmet doesn't have a (PSB) sticker doesn't mean that it's not safe or reliable. I'll take my chances with the authorities rather than wearing a cheap helmet.'

Helmet distributors, too, are reluctant to send the expensive helmets for testing locally because they have to pay for the tests. Testing 15 helmets could cost about $3,000, Mr Lee of KBC said.

KBC's TK-8 helmets, for example, are Snell-, DOT- and PSB-approved.

Mr Lee said: 'I think, ultimately, if such performance helmets are sold here, they will be more expensive as the cost of testing the helmet will be passed on to local customers.

'Some may feel that testing the helmet again is pointless, but what to do? It's the law here.'

Avoiding the helmet from hell

SHELL

Helmets that have been involved in a previous accident should not be re-used - the shell may have absorbed the impact and may no longer be effective.

Most helmet makers have included manufactured date on the inside of the helmet.

On average, a helmet needs to be replaced after between two and four years.

STRAP

A loosely secured helmet may be dislodged from the rider's head during an accident.

The helmet may be ineffective in offering coverage to the head during impact.

THE FIT

Too loose or too tight is cause for concern as a loose helmet will move upon impact, and a tight helmet is uncomfortable and affects rider concentration.

The right helmet should fit snugly. Ashelmets from various manufacturers may fit differently, it's best to try out the helmets, instead of ordering online.

VISORS

Tinted visors block visibility at night. Old, scratched visors suffer from strong glare when lights are shone at them,thus blinding the rider.

Thousand of riders were booked this year for wearing tinted visors. But it's ok to wear tinted visors which allow 70 per cent light transmittance

HELMET FOAM

A warped rubber seal means it may be time to replace the helmet.

The same applies if the foam inside the helmet starts to crumble or move

This article was first published in The New Paper on Dec 13, 2008.