Wear Motorcycle Helmets? That's A Good Question!
Lonny Wolford
Motorcyclists are always evaluating the use of motorcycle
helmets. Is this simply a matter of preference or are there
significant issues to be considered?
A friend of mine (Bill) has chosen to ride with a helmet, or at
times without a helmet. He says it depends upon riding
conditions for him. One day he was on a two lane road,
traveling about 50mph when a tractor trailer truck pulled out
from the right side of the street to go the same direction. His
thought was to maintain his speed and simply pass the truck.
[Which, most likely could be done.] Unfortunately the truck
driver did not have enough room for the turn, and stopped dead
still, crossing both lanes. Bill was now approaching the truck
too fast and too close to stop safely. He tried breaking hard
but immediately knew he was facing the side of the trailer
head-on. With quick thinking he laid his Harley on the side and
slid under the trailer and on down the road a couple hundred
feet. Relaying his story to me, he was flat on his back, feet
first, with his arms spread out and his head bopping on the
highway. When all was finished he gave credit to God for
helping him and praised his destroyed helmet for saving his
life. [Plus, the leather jacket and gloves that had taken the
tears in place of him.] My friend only suffered from some sore
muscles and hurt pride. But, it brings up the subject of helmet
safety.
In the KSL-TV News of South Jordan, the Police Chief (Dan
Pearson) is likewise teaching people that motorcycle helmets
save lives, after losing three friends to motorcycle accidents
in two years. All three suffered from head injuries and none
were wearing motorcycle helmets. Then, the police chief himself
was involved in an accident on highway 89 North of Afton,
Wyoming. A truck towing a horse trailer had passed him and
pulled in front of him, hitting the front of his motorcycle
with the spare tire mounted on the back. Dan was thrown off his
bike, landing headfirst. He says, “This injury would have been a
fatal blow if I hadn’t had the helmet on.” Dan suffered from
bruises and a few broken bones.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that
motorcyclists survive a crash and receive less serious injuries
when wearing a helmet. They report that at least 600 people are
saved each year.
One question that is asked, “motorcycle helmets might protect
your brain but can it increase your chances of a broken neck?”
Dr. Michael Yorgason, a surgeon at Montana Orthopedics and
Sport Medicine, states that the findings from medical
literature shows: “autopsy studies done after fatal motorcycle
accidents have shown that neck injuries and fractures are
equally likely, whether you are wearing a helmet or not.” Yet,
most medical reports support the use of motorcycle helmets.
They believe that the helmet generally decreases the risk of
head and brain injury significantly and surmise that wearing
them does not increase your risk of neck injury.
An Italian study concluded that a helmet decreased injury by
66%. A Thailand study found that after making motorcycle
helmets mandatory, head injuries decreased by 41% in 2 years.
Now, in Kentucky, a study revealed that brain injury increased
by 4.3 times when not wearing a helmet.
In an article written by Jonathan P. Goldstein, PhD., titled
“The Effects of Motorcycle Helmet Use on the Probability of
Fatality and the Severity of Head and Neck Injuries.” He
concludes that there are a number of variables in a study that
puts the study in question. Major differences are held
concerning helmet use or non-helmet use. Normal results compare
death and injury rates are two and three times greater for
non-helmet riders and increases in occurrence rates in repeal
years that vary from 19% to 63%. On one side: the helmet verses
the non-helmet study fails to consider these two classes of
riders. Stating that helmet riders are more cautious by nature.
One, they drive slower, thus have slower speeds in crash
situations. Two, they are less likely to have an accident.
Three, helmet wearers are less likely to drink and drive
(alcohol or use of drugs). These behavior changes dramatically
reduce a riders risk.
On-the-other-hand, factors to consider are: 1-average age of
the biker 2-average miles driven each year, per biker 3-average
experience of the biker 4-the size of the motorcycle driven. So,
between the size of the bike, potential speed, age, risk taking
and alcohol ingestion; simply, cannot realistically prove the
effectiveness of helmet use.
The Goldstein study did approach these variables in question.
They reported a study that evaluates the effectiveness of
motorcycle helmets in accident situations. The conclusions are:
1-Motorcycle helmets have no statistically significant effect on
the probability of fatality. 2- Helmets reduce the severity of
head injuries. 3-Past a critical impact speed of 13 mph,
helmets increased the severity of neck injuries. The report
then concluded that helmet users face a trade-off between
reductions in the severity of head injuries and increases in
the severity of neck injuries.
Under these circumstances a mandatory helmet use law cannot be
reasoned to be an effective method to stop an individuals death
or injury when involved in an accident.
Perhaps other choices need to be considered in providing safety
in motorcycle use. Here are three suggestions. One, educate the
general driving public (car and truck drivers) in road use with
motorcycles. Two, educate inexperienced motorcyclists on
accident avoidance (evasive action) and the proper use of these
powerful machines. Three, create a strict enforcement of drunk
driving laws.
[Some studies show that alcohol consumption is the major factor
in deaths and injury.]
Harley-Davidson offers basic and advanced training to 200+
dealerships in 30 states. Honda has four training centers. BMW
is considering advanced training but says they tend to attract
seasoned riders.
It is believed that training cuts panic. You need to know how
to negotiate a curve and resist the urge to brake, etc.
Here are some other factors that need to be considered. Tires
should be inflated to the proper level. A riders visibility to
be seen. Tests have shown that the plain white motorcycle
helmets are the easiest to be seen. Clothing makes a difference
between day/night.
For night riding there are reflective vests and lighted vests
available. There is GLO GLOV; reflective tape for clothing and
cycle; reflective vests and coats. Now back to helmets.
USA Today carried the statistic from the National Highway
Traffic Saftey Administration, reporting that 24% of the fatal
crashes in 2003 involved unlicensed motorcyclists, and that car
drivers are responsible in about two-thirds of motorcycle
fatalities.
US DOT findings discovered that following the Helmet Law Repeal
in Texas and Arkansas from Aug/Sept of 1997 to May 1998, helmet
use dropped to 52% in Arkansas and to 66% in Texas. In Arkansas
motorcycle fatalities rose 21% following the repeal and head
injuries increased 18.5%. Texas fatalities rose 31%.
One court case in California disputed what standards were set
for qualifying a helmet as “safe”. For a list of the US
Government “Compliance Testing of Motorcycle Helmets” you can
check to see if your helmet passed or failed. Check with the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
When I am on my motorcycle, I know what I am doing. I don’t
know what the other driver is doing. So, with the many facets
of helmet use and considering the pro/cons, I choose to wear a
helmet. You will have to decide for yourself!
About The Author: Lonny Wolford, website builder,
http://visitwww.toplinemotorcycles.com
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