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http://motorcycles.doodig.com/2010/05/24/motorcycle-helmets-can-save-your-life/
**24Motorcycle Helmets Can Save
Your Life *Motorcycles Articles It’s been proven through several studies that
motorcycle helmets save lives by decreasing the risk of having a fatal head
injury if you are involved in a traffic accident. If you ride without a helmet,
you increase your chance of a fatal head injury from an accident by
approximately 40%. You also increase your likelihood of having a nonfatal injury
by about 15%.
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration strongly stands behind having motorcycle helmet laws be mandatory
in all 50 states. It estimates that motorcycle helmets can decrease your chances
of having a fatal crash by 37%. A University of Southern California study
indicated that if you wear a motorcycle helmet, this is the most significant
factor that will help ensure you survive a motorcycle crash. A Crash Outcome
Data Evaluation System study, also known as a CODES study, showed that
motorcycle helmets were 67% effective in preventing brain injuries when crashes
occurred. The CODES study also showed that riders who didn’t wear helmets were
three times more likely to have brain injuries than riders who wore helmets did.
Those states that have enacted motorcycle helmet laws show a decrease in rider
fatalities, while those that have weakened or repeal motorcycle helmet laws have
shown an increase in rider fatalities.
Motorcycle helmets’ construction and technology
has greatly improved over the last 15 years. Today, helmets are much more
comfortable and provide much more protection than they did earlier. Today, it’s
no longer true that helmets limit a rider’s field of vision and hearing. In
addition, the face shield protects the rider from forceful wind blasts, debris,
and bugs. The ears are also protected in the helmet, which limits wind noise.
Today, motorcycle helmets are usually made from
fiberglass, polycarbonate plastic, carbon fiber or Kevlar. The helmet’s
structure lets the shell compress on impact. When the helmet compresses, the
impact’s force is dispersed throughout the helmet, which means that there’s much
less pressure on the head. The helmet’s inner lining, which is usually composed
of expanded polystyrene, works synergistically with the shell so that the impact
is absorbed. Most motorcycle helmets also have additional padding so that the
fit is both snug and comfortable. When fastened correctly, the chin strap
ensures that the helmet remains on the head in case there is a crash.
Despite improvements to motorcycle helmet designs
and improved public awareness of the dangers caused by riding motorcycles
without helmets, many motorcyclists still choose to ride without a helmet if
given the option. In February 2008, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters
introduced legislation that would allow states to encourage motorcycle helmet
usage using federal motorcycle safety funding. This federal funding can
currently be used only for motorcycle safety training and awareness programs. In
fact, Peters was involved in a motorcycle crash in 2005; she believes her
motorcycle helmet prevented from being fatally injured. She stated, “We know
helmets save lives, and I want states to be able to join in urging riders to
take personal responsibility for their safety by wearing a helmet every time
they ride.”
