There a few modes of transportation more exciting than motorcycle. Hitting the open road under the California sun whenever you want is a great way to spend your day or get to work.
If you’re like most riders, you care about your safety and the safety of your fellow motorcyclists. California has over 800,000 registered motorcycle riders, the most of any state, making motorcycle safety important for many residents.
A helmet is the best defense in a collision
Among the safest things you can do on a ride is to wear your helmet. A helmet is the easiest way to prevent a brain injury, paralysis, and even death. Despite state law requiring every motorcycle rider to wear a helmet, just 92 percent of motorcycle fatalities in 2017 were wearing a helmet.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that while helmets saved 287 lives, helmets could save more than another dozen lives if every rider wore a helmet.
You can be the safest rider on the road and still fall victim to a reckless or careless motorist. California requires you to wear a motorcycle helmet because they can save your life in the event the unexpected occurs. Considering that most nationwide motorcycle accidents happen on short trips at low speeds, you should still wear your helmet even if you’re just driving to the store.
Are all helmets created equal?
Helmets approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation provide the safest and sturdiest protection from life-altering or life-threatening injuries. Choosing an unapproved helmet may leave you vulnerable to an injury in the event of a collision.
If you’re among the eight percent of California motorcycle riders who does not wear a helmet, you should reconsider and find a motorcycle helmet that works for you.
