If you have ever wondered if you really need to wear a helmet when driving your motorcycle, the answer is simple: yes, you do. The research is clear; not doing so can be a matter of life and death.
Although putting on a helmet may seem like an inconvenience at the time, it is definitely worth the effort. If you need further motivation, here are four statistics that show how helmets save motorcyclist lives.
1. Helmets save nearly 2,000 lives per year
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, helmets were responsible for saving the lives of 1,859 Americans in 2016.
2. More helmet use could prevent additional deaths every year
Additionally, the CDC concluded that if all motorcyclists had worn helmets in 2016, 802 more people would not have died in motorcycle crashes.
3. Helmets also prevent nonfatal injuries
When it comes to enjoying your ride, death is not the only thing you need to worry about. Preventing any kind of unnecessary motorcycle injury should be a priority. Luckily, putting on a helmet can reduce the risk of trauma by 69% for one of your body’s most vital parts: your head.
4. Nearly half of motorcyclist deaths involve helmetless riders
There is no doubt about it: Wearing a helmet can go a long way in providing motorcyclists with protection. In another study published by the United States National Library of Medicine, researchers found that 41% of motorcyclist deaths involved helmetless riders.
At the end of the day, it is difficult to debate the value of helmets. Although they may not feel the most uncomfortable, wearing one will surely feel better than hitting your head on the pavement.