|
Tips
in Preventing Motorcycle Injuries
by: Kay Zetkin
Safety in riding motorcycles in order to prevent injuries is a very
critical issue especially during the peak of motorcycle season. The
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons are very much concerned
about this issue since there are almost always a lot of motorcycle
accidents happening at least one every few days. Most injuries noted
from the people brought in the Level One Trauma Units range from
serious musculoskeletal injuries, open fractures and head traumas
from motorcycle accidents.
The increasing accidents are linked to the increased number of
motorcycles on the road. Records show that since 1997, motorcycles
sales increased to more than 90%. Last 2001, motorcycles represented
only 2.2 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States and
accounted for 0.34 percent of vehicle miles traveled. However,
crashes involving motorcycles accounted for 7.6 percent of total
traffic fatalities on America's roadways. As recently reported by
the US Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2002 there were 42,815 fatalities
from motorcycle accidents. What’s alarming is this is the highest
level of fatality report since 1990.
While some accidents cause injuries or lifetime paralysis, some
result to fatalities. Thus, these incidents should be a constant
reminder for motorcyclists to protect themselves.
According to Maureen Finnegan, MD, professor at the University of
Texas and orthopaedic surgeon at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, most
motorcycle injuries involve the extremities and the spinal cord.
Majority of fatalities are results of head injuries. Thus, she said
that the most important tip for motorcycle safety is to wear a
helmet. Wearing helmets are estimated to be 29 percent effective in
preventing fatal injuries and 67 percent effective in preventing
brain injuries for motorcyclists. Another thing is the wearing of
proper clothing in riding and of course, really learning how to ride
a motorcycle and handle certain situations throughout the
ride.
Here are other helpful tips in preventing motorcycle injuries:
-
Get
professionally trained in motorcycle riding. Research shows that
more than 90 percent of all riders that were involved in crashes
are just self-taught or taught by friends.
-
Secure
your license to drive. Nearly 27 percent or one out of four
motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes in 2001 was not properly
licensed.
-
Do
not drink and ride. Those most at risk in getting into accidents
are inebriated motorcyclists.
-
Use
helmets that meet the DOT (Department of Transportation)
standards.
-
Wear
protective clothing – this includes goggles or sun shades for
eye protection, jacket, full- fingered gloves, long pants and
over-the-ankle boots.
-
Make
sure that your motorcycle clothing and gears are made of
abrasion-resistant material, such as leather. Avoid loose,
flailing clothing that could impair your vision.
-
Wearing
brightly colored garments may help other vehicles see/notice
you.
-
Proper
maintenance and monitoring of your bike is of high importance.
Observe proper lane positioning of your bike to further increase
your visibility to drivers. Keeping a "space cushion"
between your bike and other traffic should also be kept in mind.
-
Avoid
sharing a lane with a car since its driver may not expect you to
be there or may not become aware of your presence. Most drivers
look out for other bigger vehicles that they may fail to notice
you instantly unless something has happened already.
-
Ride
according to your skill level. Never overestimate yourself.
About
The Author
Kay Zetkin discovered the pleasure of writing through her daily journals as a teen-ager. Writing in it helped sort out her thoughts, relieve her feelings and record what she observes of the world.
For her, writing is an effective tool to express your viewpoints... To write is already to choose, thus, writing should be done along with a critical mind and a caring soul. She hopes to become more professional, skilled and mature in her craft.
Aside from writing Kay spends her time reading. Reading lets her travel to far-off imagined places and situations. She also learns a lot from devouring books, especially from the socio-political and historical ones.
For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.aftermarketmotorcyclepartsnow.com.
kzetkin02@gmail.com
|
