There were two recent fatalities here in Southern California this year that on the surface bears this out. The problem with this is that saying that because some people suffer fatal head injuries while wearing a helmet, that helmets never do any good. (both fatalities were from head trauma in sanctioned races with manditory helmets) This just isn't true. Last time I fell off my bike I struck my head hard enough that I would have suffered a possible concusion. I value that grey stuff between my ears so I will continue to wear one.

What this does point out is that we need better helmets, and that all of those standards are inadequate. Asthetics seem to be a larger driving factor in helmet design than functionality and safety.