Motorcycle Helmet Safety

Fatal motorcycle wrecks bring helmet laws into question

AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Motorcycle helmet laws have come into question after motorcycle wrecks took the lives of two men over the weekend.

The current laws in Texas require riders to have a minimum of 10,000 dollars of health insurance coverage for injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.  That coverage exempts the rider from the offense of Operating Or Riding A Motorcycle Without A Helmet.  The penalty for riding helmetless without that insurance is a 50-dollar fine.  However, it is not illegal to ride without a helmet as long as the rider is 21 or older.

Texas State Senator Kel Seliger has been riding motorcycles for 10 years and is no stranger to the helmet laws.  And he said if people want the helmet laws to change, they will have to go to the legislature.

"Current helmet laws are a product of public participation in the process," he said.  "Right now, outside the medical community, the general public seems satisfied with situations that exist now regarding motorcycle helmets."

Cpl. Jerry Neufeld of the Crime Prevention Unit said accidents can result at the fault of both riders on motorcycles and people driving other vehicles, and the best way for everyone to stay safe is to be alert.

"People will say that motorcyclists are harder to see, so we need to be more aware," he said.  "You know, that's something that, as a driver, we need to be aware of our surroundings and pay attention.  Are we turning left?  Is there a car coming?  Do I have the right of way?  Speed is not the only factor when it comes to motorcycle wrecks."

Christy Tripp-Rowley's family owns  Tripp's Harley Davidson  and she has been around motorcycles all her life.  She acknowledges that wearing a helmet is a personal choice, and for her, the choice is easy.

"I choose to wear one because I feel like, you know, your head, obviously, that's going to be the most vulnerable thing if you go down. But you can't tell me that protecting your head if you go down- when your head bounces off the pavement- if it's in a helmet you're not going to do better than your bare head bouncing off the pavement. I do it because of safety, just for that reason right there. I believe that if I went down, I'd be more protected with a helmet."

The  National Center for Statistics and Analysis of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration  released a report back in 2005 stating that motorcycle helmets were about 37 percent effective in preventing fatalities.  In 2003, 3,661 riders were killed in crashes, and the 37 percent effectiveness suggests that 1,158 additional lives would have been saved if the riders had been wearing helmets.

Motorbike Helmets – The Importance Of Motorcycle Helmets And ...

Motorcycles are a convenient form of transportation, both within the city and on the open road. You can get around in city traffic quite easily on a motorbike, making it easier to avoid traffic jams. If you use your bike to travel to and from work, it can be quite economical as well. Many cyclists also enjoy long distance travel on the open road. They find they can get where they want to go much quicker with their motorcycle than in a car and often at less expense. In addition, many motorcyclists enjoy the sense of freedom a bike can give on the open road. However, one should never ride a motorcycle without wearing a good helmet. Even a bike with high quality motorcycle parts does not provide immunity from accidents.

Many countries require motorcyclists to wear motorcycle helmets, as a safety precaution against accidents. Some countries may also require a person to wear additional safety gear besides a helmet. Motorcycle accessories such as jackets, boots, gloves, etc. are voluntary and can be good to purchase, but these items are not as important as a helmet. In fact, many motorcyclists have had their lives saved due to wearing a good helmet.

It is important to realize that a motorbike does not offer as much protection as a car. When a motorbike is hit by another vehicle, the only thing that will protect the rider is his or her helmet, along with other safety gear. It pays to remember this principle when shopping for gloves, a helmet or some other safety accessory. Choose items that are well made, even if they are a bit pricey.

If you own a motorcycle and ride it frequently, it is to your advantage to know which type of gear offers the best protection and where these items can be obtained. You should also learn where you can obtain high quality parts at the best prices and who to go to when repair work is needed. Knowing which shops or online retail sites sell high quality gear and accessories will enable one to get the pieces he or she needs quickly and easily.

Looking up online reviews before buying safety gear is a good idea. Product reviews will list the strengths and weaknesses of most any type of accessory. This information can help one to know which model of helmet and other gear to invest in.

A motorcycle owner should never go out on his or her motorbike without proper gear. One should take the time to buy high quality gear and always put it on before heading out. The right accessories can in many cases be the difference between life and death.

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