How Effective Are Motorcycle Helmets, Gloves, And Boots For Preventing Motorcycle Accident Deaths or Serious Injury?

 

How Effective Are Motorcycle Helmets, Gloves, And Boots For Preventing Motorcycle Accident Deaths or Serious Injury

 

Motorcycle helmets, gloves, and boots protect motorcyclists from injury during an accident. However, do these safety gear items prevent death or serious injury? Here is a look at how effective motorcycle helmets, gloves, and boots prevent motorcycle accident deaths.

 

What You Wear On Your Body Can Definitely Help Prevent Injuries Or Death In A Motorcycle Crash?

The most important thing to wear when riding a motorcycle is a helmet. The second most important thing is a jacket, and the third most important thing are a pair of gloves. Motorcycle helmets are designed to withstand high-speed impacts with other vehicles or the pavement and prevent serious head injuries from occurring during an accident.

A jacket made from leather can help keep your body cooler during summer riding and warmer during winter riding, as well as protect you from bumps and scrapes caused by contact with other objects along the way. Leather jackets often have zippers to allow more flexibility in how they fit around your body. 

Today, synthetic material jackets with built in padding and/or what is referred to as body armor (usually plastic plates) are built to absorb the harmful energy subjected to the human body in the event of a crash and placed in the jacket at common injury points such as elbows, shoulders, back, chest and ribs. 

Gloves protect against abrasions, burns and cuts that may occur while operating machinery such as motorcycles or cars. However, they also give riders more control over their bike because they make it easier for them to grip onto handlebars while riding at high speeds.

 

Facts And Statistics

The U.S. has a relatively low share of motorcycle deaths compared to other countries. Still, about 5,000 motorcycle riders are killed yearly in the U.S., says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2014, more than 88,000 motorcyclists were injured in crashes.

The CDC says that wearing a helmet reduces your risk of dying in a crash by 37%; research published by the American Journal of Public Health found that helmets reduce the risk of head injuries by 69% and brain injuries by 65%. It has been proven that helmets are very effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcycle riders and this goes not only for the driver but also motorcycle passengers.  The CDC estimates that passengers that where are helmet are reducing their chances of death by about 41%.

According to a study by CDC, every 100 motorcyclists are subjected to extreme danger when not wearing a helmet. This is why wearing your helmet when riding on the road is essential. You never know what situation you will be put into; it could save your life! 

 

Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Helmet laws are in place to protect motorcyclists from accidents. Helmets are required for safety reasons, but they can also make your ride more enjoyable if you wear them correctly. If you’re going to wear a helmet, make sure it fits properly:

  • The helmet should form an “X” shape across your forehead when pulled down over your eyebrows and ears.
  • It should feel snug on top without being tight enough to squeeze against your skull.
  • The chin strap should be secure but not uncomfortably tight – if you can fit more than two fingers under it comfortably, it’s too loose!
  • You should consider wearing a wig or hat with your helmet if you have long, thick hair. If you wear one of these items, ensure it doesn’t interfere with your helmet’s fit. If it does, try something else.

 

Fatalities Decrease When States Pass Laws Requiring Helmet Use

The studies show that helmet laws reduce the number of fatalities. Helmets save lives, but it’s important to remember they are not the only thing that can prevent deaths on a motorcycle. 

The estimated effectiveness of helmets in preventing fatal injuries to motorcycle riders is 37% and 41% for motorcycle passengers (source). Thus, Helmet laws have been shown to have strong positive effects on reducing fatalities among motorcyclists. 

 

Deaths Occur Among Riders Who Don’t Wear Helmets … Even at Low Speeds

Even at low speeds, helmets can reduce the risk of death. And that’s important to remember for all riders, but especially for those who are more likely to get into an accident because of inexperience and lack of skill. 

 

Motorcycle Helmets Reduce The Risk Of A Fatal Head Wound By 69%

While helmets are a must and can save lives, they aren’t a cure-all for motorcycle safety. Other injuries like spinal cord trauma or road rash are still dangerous. Additionally, it’s important to remember that not all helmets are created equal. 

 

Helmet Use May Reduce The Risk Of Neck Injuries

Motorcycle helmets can reduce the risk of neck injuries by up to 50%. Helmets help to prevent head, neck and spinal cord injuries. The injuries to the neck are often because motorcycle riders tend to have their heads bent forward as they ride. This position puts them in danger of being thrown from the bike because they lack protection around their necks if they crash or fall off.

 

Effectiveness Of Motorcycle Gloves

Motorcycle gloves also minimize the severity of injuries, particularly to the hands and wrists. Injuries to these areas are common in motorcycle accidents, whether from a fall or impact with another vehicle. 

The proximity of the rider’s hands and feet to their body means that they often take the brunt of any impact, resulting in road rash (scrapes and cuts), burns (from hot surfaces), cuts, bruises and abrasions. Gloves are designed specifically for this kind of protection—they protect your palms from scrapes and abrasions while still allowing enough grip so that you can steer safely on your bike.

The gloves also minimize the severity of injuries to your hands and wrists. They could reduce injury severity by as much as 50%. They protect against road rash, burns, cuts, bruises, abrasions and minor cuts. They also protect you against the cold, making it easier to ride in winter. They can even help prevent frostbite and hypothermia if you fall off your bike in freezing temperatures.

 

Effectiveness Of Motorcycle Jackets

If you are looking for a jacket that protects you from the elements, look no further than a motorcycle jacket. A good motorcycle jacket should be made of leather or synthetic materials that do not absorb water and can withstand impacts from objects such as rocks.

Always wearing proper gear is the best way to ensure your safety while riding. This includes a helmet, boots, gloves and an appropriate jacket.

Motorcycle jackets are designed to protect you from the elements. They protect you from rain, wind and cold temperatures while allowing you to move freely. The best motorcycle jackets are made from high-quality materials that will not absorb water and are resistant to punctures or tears.

 

Boots Help Minimize Injuries To The Legs And Feet

To reduce your risk of injury, you should wear boots and other protective gear when riding a motorcycle. Boots are more effective than shoes and not wearing any boots.

Motorcycle boots are designed to protect the feet and ankles from injury and can reduce the risk of foot and ankle injuries by 50%. However, there is no conclusive evidence that wearing motorcycle boots can save lives in a crash scenario. It’s possible that they could help prevent serious injuries when you fall off your bike, but no studies have been done on this topic.

 

Helmets Can Save Your Life, But They Aren’t The Only Thing That Saves Your Life

While helmets are essential to motorcycle safety, they are not the only thing that saves lives. Helmets are designed to absorb energy and prevent injuries when you have an accident. However, if you hit something head-on or run into something at full speed, no helmet can protect you from severe injury or death.

While helmets can provide significant protection, they are not a cure-all and should not be relied upon as the only safety measure. Helmets provide excellent head protection for most motorcycle accidents, but riders should still consider other safety measures, such as wearing protective clothing and using proper motorcycle maintenance techniques.

In addition to helmet use, other factors that can reduce your risk of injury in a crash include:

  • Buying a bike with better brakes and handling compared to others on the market (this makes it easier to avoid collisions)
  • Wearing strong leather gloves instead of cotton ones when riding (this will help you brake harder while keeping your hands protected)
  • Use a motorcycle with good safety features (such as anti-lock brakes and airbags). Riding with other riders so you can help each other out in case of an accident
  • Using your headlight and brake lights can make it easier for other drivers to see you on the road.

 

Final Thoughts

Wear a helmet. Helmets save lives and reduce the risk of head injuries, neck injuries, fatal head wounds and brain damage. Motorcycle helmets also reduce the risk of spinal cord damage due to blunt trauma after a crash.

Motorcycle helmets and gloves can help reduce injuries in a crash, but they are not the only thing that saves lives. Motorcycle drivers should always wear the right gear for safety and protect others on the road. In addition to wearing appropriate clothing, riders should ensure their bikes are in good condition before hitting the road.