Government issues motorcycle helmet safety warning

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is urging motorcyclists not to wear the 5X5 brand, SA-08 model motorcycle helmet because it fails to meet federal head protection requirements.

Officials said as many as 14,000 of the helmets were imported and sold by Tank Sports Inc. of California, which declared bankruptcy without completing a government-requested recall.

The safety administration said that under federal testing, the helmets failed to meet penetration protection requirements. Both the outer shell and the inner liner in three out of four helmets were penetrated in NHTSA safety tests.

The agency isn't aware of any deaths or injuries involving the helmets. However, the agency advises motorcyclists to discard the helmets immediately and not to use them while riding.