I was curious if anyone else had seen this little love note from the SCCA.

Quote:
It has been brought to the attention of SCCA Technical Services that the use
of full-face or closed-face helmets while driving vehicles with active airbag
restraint systems may result in injuries in the event of a crash that deploys
the airbag. Because of the location of the steering wheel relative to a
driver’s position, the airbag axis is on a level with the driver’s chin. In a
crash with airbag deployment, contact with the chin area of a full-face
helmet can be so powerful “that the risk of fractures to the jaw cannot be
ruled out“ (Hubert Gramling, FIA Institute, FT3/AF, 18.5.1999). This applies
to vehicle that may be used in Solo, RallyCross, High Performance Car
Control Clinics, etc.
Therefore, it is highly recommended that full-face helmets not be used in
vehicles with functional airbag systems. Potentially more restrictive language
is currently being considered for 2005, which could appear in an early 2005
issue of FasTrack. If you have any questions, please contact the SCCA at
(800) 770-2055.

Any thoughts? I was about to go buy a new full face helmet but now I leaning towards an open one.

 

I personally just picked up an open face helmet myself. Just in case. So now I have both.

 

They're investigating at this time.

The study that is referenced is about full-face helmets in Formula One cars (very different seating position and air bag deployment speeds).

I've seen what happens when wearing an open-face helmet. A closed face helmet would have saved the driver's life.