Motorcycle Helmet Safety
Wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle is a sensible choice to protect one of the most important parts of your body: your head. However, not all helmets offer the same level of protection. In fact, some helmets may actually not offer any type of real protection to the wearer at all. To better understand what makes one helmet safer than another, take a closer look at how a motorcycle helmet operates.
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Basic Function
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A motorcycle helmet's primary responsibility is to absorb the harmful kinetic forces generated in an impact against another object or surface. This is accomplished through the use of two layers: a rigid outer shell and an softer, inner foam liner. The rigid shell, usually composed of fiberglass, Kevlar and similar composite materials, spreads the kinetic forces across its surface, flexing and distorting as necessary to redirect the kinetic energy away from the wearer's head. The energy is then transferred into the inner foam liner, which will compress as needed to soften the impact before the remaining energy is transferred to the wearer's head.
Regulations and Requirements
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The Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have implemented a set of standard requirements and regulations to ensure that a given motorcycle helmet will offer a minimal level of protection. These standards include a minimum protective head coverage, vision and hearing obstruction requirements, and stress testing that requires a helmet to withstand a minimum of a 400-g impact, among others. With these standards in place, the NHTSA claims that a properly certified and fitted helmet can effectively reduce the possibility of a traumatic head injury by up to 69 percent.
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Basic Maintenance
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Caring for a motorcycle helmet is a critical part of maintaining its protective qualities. Ensuring that the helmet is safe from accidental drops or impacts while not in use will preserve its structural integrity. Use noncaustic, solvent-free agents to clean the helmet's outer shell; this prevents the fiberglass shell from being compromised by harsh chemicals. Use a mild soap and water to clean the inner liner in order to prevent the erosion of the foam liner material. Check the fit of the helmet's chin strap and cheek pads often, ensuring a snug, yet comfortable fit to prevent the helmet from slipping off of your head. If the foam liner, chin strap, or shell is damaged, replace the helmet.
Selecting a Helmet
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Simply wearing a motorcycle helmet is not enough to protect you. The helmet itself must fit well without causing undue discomfort. A helmet that is too tight may cause headaches that can distract you on the road; likewise, a loose helmet will be buffeted by wind and could obstruct your vision. As a rule of thumb, a helmet should fit snugly and maintaining its position while you turn your head from side to side without sliding across your cheeks. The chin strap should be able to fasten securely under your chin and should not be able to slip loose when tugged on. The helmet's shell and other features, such as a face shield or visor, should not interfere with your vision. Also take into consideration the type of helmet you are interested in because the level of protection offered by a open face helmet is significantly lower than a completely enclosed, full-face helmet.
Expert Insight
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According to the Snell Memorial Foundation, a leading advocate in helmet safety, motorcycle helmets should be replaced every six years. This includes helmets that were never used or appear to be in excellent condition. While this is mostly due to the slow degradation of the helmet's materials over time, motorcycle helmet technology advances at a quick pace, bringing about changes that could improve your chances of walking away from an accident.
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References
- Photo Credit Having a nice motorcycle trip in the Swiss apls image by macegraphics from Fotolia.com
