Helmet Safety
Baseball, in-line skating, and bicycling all requires a helmet. What more when you are riding a motorcycle. A motorcycle helmet is used by bike riders to protect their head during impact and head injuries common during collisions. As all helmets are not created equal, it is imperative that when buying you should look inside the helmet for information on standards that it complies with. There are three kinds of motorcycle helmets: full face, ¾ face and ½ helmets. The full face helmet is the most protective of the three as it covers the entire head but critics dislike the lack of wind, increased heat, and reduced hearing that this type of helmet makes inevitable. The ¾ face helmet provides the same rear protection as a full face helmet but little protection to the face. The ½ helmet provides the minimum coverage generally allowed in the U.S.
Helmets are usually made up of fiberglass or hard plastic. Helmets possessing special laminating processes and carbon filter are lighter which generally reduces neck fatigue. Keep in mind that your helmet must be comfortable with your head size, neck and chin strap. When choosing a helmet consider the following tips:
- Make sure that you are happy with appearance
- Try it on for comfort and fit
- Don’t try to but a helmet that is too big not too fit
- The helmet should make you feel comfortable
Motorcyclists who ride without helmets run a greater risk of death and permanent injury. According to NHTSA statistics, death among motorcycle riders has increases by more than seventy-three percent since 1997. One of factor causing these accidents is the non-wearing of helmets. Additionally, almost seventy-five percent of fatally injured riders in 2003 were not wearing helmet. For this reason, it is essential that bikers wear helmets and all states need a helmet law that covers all riders. Helmets reduce the risk of death by twenty-nine percent and are sixty-seven percent effective in preventing brain injuries to motorcycle riders. The helmet laws significantly increased helmet usage which in turn saved lives and lessens head trauma. It is estimated by the NHTSA that helmets saved the lives of 1,158 motorcyclists in 2003. Thus, if all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 640 lives could have been saved. So the next time you think of riding your bike, protect yourself and wear a helmet.
