Nothing beats a relaxing fall ride on your motorcycle as you enjoy New Jersey’s northeastern views of beautiful trees bursting with color. With that said, fall is also a time when days are often cloudy which can reduce roadside visibility.
Every year, thousands of motorcyclists lose their lives or end up with severe injuries as a result of motorcycle accidents. Although you cannot avoid every crash, there are many ways to reduce the risks to your life. Understanding the research can help you make the best decisions for your safety.
1. Helmets save lives
Every year, helmets save the lives of thousands of Americans. Because helmet materials can significantly reduce the blow of an impact, they are effective at preventing life-threatening injuries. In 2016, for example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that helmets prevented the deaths of 1,859 people.
2. Not wearing a helmet kills
In the same CDC study, researchers found that 802 of the motorcyclists who died that year had not been wearing helmets. As such, they concluded that individuals could have prevented these deaths. While some individuals prefer to go without because helmets can be bulky, doing so is extremely unsafe.
3. Not wearing a helmet costs money
Moreover, leaving helmets at home does not only cost lives. It costs a significant amount of money, too. For example, consider the potential medical costs involved. The CDC further estimates that the U.S. could reduce spending by more than $1 billion if all motorcyclists wore helmets.
Although you cannot prevent every motorcycle accident from happening, you can increase your chances of surviving one. Without a doubt, wearing a helmet helps.