The prime season for motorcycle enthusiasts to take to the road is approaching, and many motorcyclists are veterans when it comes to safely operating their machines. However, even among experienced riders, there are some often-repeated "safety tips" that are simply wrong.
The Truth About Helmets
Misconceptions about helmet use are probably the most common type of motorcycle safety myth. In motorcyclist circles, you may have heard that the weight of a helmet causes broken necks in crashes, that wearing a helmet will just leave you severely brain damaged instead of dead, or that helmets simply do not provide a reasonable measure of protection in most crashes. None of these assertions are true.
Research has shown that riders wearing helmets suffer fewer neck injuries than their bareheaded counterparts, and also that riders without helmets more often end up in comas following motorcycle accidents. In addition, even in the low proportion of accidents that occur at speeds much higher than those used in helmet testing, helmets that meet U.S. Department of Transportation standards perform exceptionally well.
Some motorcyclists complain that helmets seem to impair their peripheral vision and obstruct their ability to observe danger. Other riders claim that helmets limit their hearing ability. However, statistics show that motorcyclists who wear helmets crash less often than those who do not wear helmets.
Other Motorcycle Myths
Some riders claim that loud, after-market tail pipes help other drivers notice them. The noise is directed to the rear of the motorcycle where it does little to prevent the most prevalent type of motorcycle accidents: front-end collisions. In fact, motorcycles with factory-equipped exhaust pipes are actually involved in fewer accidents.
The desirability of "laying your motorcycle down" if a crash is inevitable is another myth; modern motorcycle brakes allow riders to cut their speed much more quickly staying upright.
The effect of motorcycle misinformation can be deadly. Before you get on the road, make sure you know the facts about how to keep yourself safe. If you are involved in an accident, promptly contact a personal injury lawyer with experience in motorcycle accident cases.
