[GaryVoshol]

As I understand it, from an authoritive source, Chief Delphi was advised to stop giving out the side shields. Not because they weren't safe or against the rules - they were fine. The problem is they have to be used with poly-carb lenses in glasses, and anyone passing out the shields has no way of knowing whether or not your glasses are safe. Someone who suffered an eye injury might sue the person that passed out the side shields, claiming he thought they made his glasses safe.