| In this troubled economy of 2009, a vast | | | | Young people tend to think (and I know, because |
| majority of Americans are looking for ways to | | | | I was one not too long ago) that "nothing is going |
| save money. We are clipping more coupons, we | | | | to happen to me." They tend to think that |
| are shopping for cheaper gas, we are shopping at | | | | helmets are for the older generation. And they |
| second-hand stores, and many of us are turning | | | | care all too much about how they look on the |
| to cheaper modes of transportation. Americans | | | | motorcycle instead of how they'll feel if they ever |
| are giving up their cars and choosing instead to | | | | lay the motorcycle down. |
| ride scooters and motorcycles both to and from | | | | According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, |
| work and around town on errands. As the | | | | helmets "can help to protect your brain, your face |
| number of motorcyclists increases on America's | | | | and even your life." The research and |
| roads, so does the opportunity for motorcycle | | | | development that goes into an approved helmet |
| accidents. And as more and more states are | | | | has resulted in a very specialized and sophisticated |
| repealing their laws requiring motorcycle helmets, | | | | piece of life-saving gear. The tough outer shell is |
| the number of motorcyclists on the road without | | | | meant to compress upon impact, thereby |
| a helmet is also on the rise. | | | | lessening the force that comes into contact with |
| When we ride without a helmet, we are risking | | | | your head. DOT-approved helmets also have an |
| our lives to save a few bucks on fuel. We are | | | | impact-absorbing inner liner designed to absorb the |
| risking severe injury and even death to look cool | | | | shock as your head hits the inside of the helmet. |
| on our motorcycles. And it's not just the | | | | Helmets are actually designed to break upon |
| thrill-seeking crotch rockets, it's your neighbor or | | | | impact, as another way of absorbing the shock |
| his wife who is looking for a cheaper method of | | | | otherwise meant for your head. |
| transportation. Motorcycle fatalities have increased | | | | On top of the impact-absorbing liner is what the |
| every year since 1996, according to the National | | | | industry refers to as comfort padding. It's the |
| Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And one | | | | layer next to your head providing comfort and fit. |
| of the biggest factors in motorcycle fatalities is | | | | And the last part of the helmet, which is equally |
| the refusal of riders to wear a DOT-approved | | | | as critical as the others, is the chin strap or the |
| motorcycle helmet. | | | | retention system. It must be securely strapped |
| The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety | | | | to give you optimal protection. |
| report that, "Motorcycle helmets have been | | | | Head injuries account for most motorcycle |
| shown to save the lives of motorcyclists and | | | | fatalities. But you don't have to be one of the |
| prevent serious brain injuries." Why wait until your | | | | statistics - instead, choose to be one of the |
| state requires a helmet to wear one? Why not | | | | survivors. For a relatively small investment, |
| choose instead to ride safely and ride smart?! The | | | | compared to the cost of medical and hospital bills, |
| NHTSA keeps statistics on how helmets prevent | | | | you can invest in a good (DOT-approved) helmet |
| injury and death. And they keep statistics on | | | | that is both cool and protective. Ride safe, ride |
| fatalities as well. Wouldn't you rather be in the | | | | smart, ride responsibly. |
| first group than the second? | | | | |