I encourage discussion on this topic because I just read this one comment from an article and it had never dawned on me the downside of wearing a full-helmet with seat restraints like the ones of the slingshot.
First off, common sense makes it clear you are safer with a helmet even with a sturdy roof like the slngshade but what about whiplash from a hit from behind (or forward for that matter)? What then?
A comment from this very good article https://www.thedrive.com/motor…equired-on-three-wheelers sums it up nicely.
"Actually, the American Academy of Neurosurgeons has already weighed in on this and they NEVER recommend the use of a helmet when NOT USING A HANS device, while restrained, as in "wearing a shoulder/lap belt". Forces on the neck are increased 40 fold in both frontal and rear impact crashes, nearly assuring death of the driver when the added weight of a helmet is added to the driver's head. Unfortunately, our legislatures are so short sighted, most have not addressed this issue, and won't until they are sued for INCREASING chance of injury/death by REQUIRING a helmet when driving a 3 wheeled vehicle equipped with seat/shoulder belts."
After all, this is what killed Earnhardt twenty years ago granted at a much faster speed but I swear seeing it live it looked like he hit the wall at 40 mph relative speed.
Now I have to wonder, what is more risky, 1) no helmet/just eye protection or 2: full heavy helmet. That's a tough one.
By the way that article above is a must read for all slingshot owners.