As a motorcyclist, you know how fun it can be to go for a ride. Whether you are just doing some driving around the city or you take Highway 90, it is always important for you to prioritize your own safety. Your motorcycle does not afford you as much protection as drivers have from their cars.
You are particularly at risk of getting injured in an accident. If you are not wearing the right helmet – or any helmet – you could easily get a severe head injury. Here is a look at why it is so important for you to equip yourself with a good helmet every time you ride.
Startling statistics
According to data reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motorcyclist brain injuries and deaths rise when there are no helmet laws. While motorcycles only account for a meager 3 percent of all registered motor vehicles, they make up 17 percent of all traffic deaths.
Motorcycle helmet laws
One of the most effective ways to reduce motorcycle injuries and fatalities is by requiring helmet use. Louisiana is one of 19 states plus the District of Columbia that have universal helmet laws, meaning that every occupant must wear a helmet. When Louisiana put this law into place, the following improvements took place:
- Deaths became 30 percent less likely
- Moderate and severe injuries decreased
- Accident reports indicated more motorcyclists were wearing helmets in crashes
Not only do helmets make motorcyclists like you safer, but wearing them also saves money. There are a lot of expenses related to crashes, such as legal costs, insurance costs, workplace costs, lost productivity, medical treatments, property damage repair and reduced quality of life. Helmets saved a total of $17.3 billion in these costs in 2013.
All of this data may provide incentive for you to always wear a helmet approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation.