u235

I was poking around on ebay the other day, something I do when I'm bored. My initial intent was to look up punk band stickers to adorn my laptop, and when that didn't turn up much that I liked I tried some of my favorite anime characters. Somehow - not sure how - I turned up results that included retailers selling DOT stickers for "decorative" use only.

Ok, for those that don't know - a DOT sticker is used on motorcycle helmets to signify that the helmet meets the government standard for safety. There are groups, such as those that give motorcycle safety training, or racing, that *require* a DOT certified helmet before they let you participate. This means that any fucktard who chooses to just slap a DOT sticker on their helmet can bypass the safety standard, basically lying to the groups that expect a minimum of honesty from their participants.

I was pretty shocked that ebay would support this and sent them email. I got the typical form email "kthnxbai" and still found the stickers being listed the next week. So I sent them another email - I doubt much will come from that. I also sent email to the seller "Hey, isn't this illegal?". I doubt much will come from that. Finally I sent email to the NTHSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) who are the ones responsible for the DOT standard. I don't hold out much hope there either, but I figured it was worth a chance.

Frankly I think it's bullshit that any asshole would sell these in the first place. He's got them listed as being a whole dollar anyway - what the fuck kind of dick would sell out someone's safety for a buck? Next, I really don't give a rats ass if you choose to put a sticker on your own piece of crap helmet - but if you sell or lend that helmet, then I think you're a fucking criminal and deserve to go to jail.

It probably isn't all that hard to make fake stickers, but there's no reason for people to enable this sort of bullshit by selling them aboveboard. Here's a big fat "fuck you" to all the assholes who are selling DOT stickers on ebay.

• makingitdigital-graphics
• ddagmij
• DONS CYCLE WARE MOTORCYCLE GEAR
• Discount Biker Gear