While it is true that there are more car accidents than there are motorcycle accidents, motorcycle accidents can cause the most bodily damage. The riders do not have a seatbelt like drivers of a car do, nor are they inside an enclosed vehicle that can protect them. Motorcycle riders are completely vulnerable to the elements when in an accident. They have been thrown over vehicles, and crashed into the pavement at 40 miles per hour. If a person is not wearing a helmet, and other safety gear, the injuries can be horrific. For this reason, there are more fatalities in a motorcycle accident than there are with a vehicle accident. Motorcycle safety is the only thing that can keep accidents to a minimum. Every year there is a decline in the number of motorcycle accidents and deaths due to safety measures. People who ride motorcycles need to be trained in order to learn how to operate the vehicle safely. There have been two research studies that have been used to find out the reasons for most motorcycle accidents, and how to prevent them. Those are the Hurt Report, and the MAIDS Report.
There were fifty five different findings in the Hurt Report that were given for being the number one reasons why motorcycle accidents happen. Most of them are due to operator skill levels while driving. Over 70% of motorcycle accidents involve another vehicle, and the remainder of the percent is with single motorcycle accidents. The precipitating factor for most single motorcycle accidents is operator error. Surprisingly, most motorcycle accidents are not caused by weather related accidents. It is either because a vehicle violated a motorcycle’s right of way, or because the rider of the motorcycle had consumed alcohol before driving, or the rider made a wrong choice that caused the accident. In many cases, it was due to the kind of motorcycle the person was driving. Super sport motorcycles are one of the biggest concerns for motorcycle accidents.
Super sport motorcycles are also known as racing motorcycles that have been souped up to compete in some of the fastest motorcycle races. The biggest bodily injury concerns are with brain damage and soft tissue. Brain damage can occur when a persons head makes contact with the pavement if they are not wearing a helmet, and road rash occurs when a person is thrown and then slides across the pavement. If they are not wearing the correct protective gear, the asphalt can do horrific damage to the soft tissue of skin.
Motorcycle safety measurements are:
Personal Protective Equipment
This is also known as PPE, or motorcycle gear. A person who is riding a motorcycle on the road need to be clothed from head to foot in protective gear. This includes a helmet with a chin guard, gloves, jacket and pants that are armored, as well as retro-reflective strips on the motorcycle. It may seem uncomfortable to wear so much gear, but when involved in an accident, they will be grateful that they took such measures.
Bright colored Gear
The jacket and pants should be in brighter colors so that it will give increased visibility while on the road. Vehicles are more apt to notice a motorcycle coming up behind them when they have retro-reflective strips on their motorcycle, and bright colored gear on their bodies.
Abrasion Resistance Gear
The jacket and pants should be a bright colored armored gear to keep abrasions on the skin to a minimum when involved in an accident. The armored jacket and pants should be a thick type of leather that can withstand asphalt. Other protective type of material is kevlar, ballistic nylon, and cordura. However, the thick leather protective gear can cause a loss of motor control in weather that is over 85 degrees and up to 100 degrees. A person who is riding a motorcycle in hot weather, should be sure to have plenty of fluids to help offset the heat and dehydration problems.
Boots
Longer black leather boots should be worn with the jacket and pants to help protect the person’s feet.
Helmet
A full face helmet should be used while riding a motorcycle. Most major motorcycle accidents have compacted a person’s jaw area. The full face helmet and chin guard will help to protect the whole head and face. Half helmets are not recommended because riders are only half protected.
Helmet visor or goggles
Imagine riding a motorcycle and having an insect or a pebble flying into a persons eyes at breakneck speed. This can cause a serious accident when the rider loses control of their motorcycle. A helmet visor or goggles will keep the eyes protected from any such occurrence.
Ear plugs
Ear plugs are very important for riders who are driving at speeds of over 40 to 60 miles per hour or more. The wind speed sounds can cause serious damage to a persons eardrums.
Vests
Motorcycle riders can wear a bright orange vest over their protective clothing gear to give added visibility while riding on the freeways.