Motorcycle Helmet Safety

I believe that when you ride a motorcycle you should always wear a helmet.

Heather Long 8B

Why A Motorcycle Helmet

I ride every summer with my dad on the back of his motorcycle and

I wear my helmet every time. We travel at speeds of 30 – 65 miles

per hour. Motorcycles can be fun and safe when you wear the

proper riding equipment. Everybody has their right to choose what

they wear, but some states have laws that make you wear a

helmet. I believe in that law! This law is IMPORTANT to me

because, I have a family member that doesn’t wear a helmet all the

time and I don’t want to see him get hurt.

Creation of The Motorcycle Helmet

In 1941 Hugh Cairns invented the motorcycle helmet after treating

a devastating number of deaths from head injuries among army

motorcycle patients that were in the Second World War. He

devised a helmet with a smooth outer shell

supported by a lining consisting of a number

of webbing slings attached to the base.

Helmet Standards & What They Mean Most motorcycle helmet standards use impacts at speeds between 4–7 m/s (9–

16 mph).

Motorcyclists frequently ride at speeds higher than 20 m/s (45 mph).

Impact speed of the helmet is usually not the same as the road speed of the motorcycle.

The severity of the impact is determined not only by the speed of the head but also by the nature of the surface it hits.

There are different types and styles of motorcycle helmets. Most important is

to make sure your helmet is Department of Transportation (DOT) certified.

Full-Face Helmet

Full-face motorcycle helmets: These helmets cover the entire head and most of the face.

Three quarter shell motorcycle helmets: This style is similar to a full-face helmet, but it does not wrap around the face.

Half shell motorcycle helmets: These are the least intrusive style of, covering only the top half of the cranium. They also afford the least protection.

Half Shell Helmet

Three Quarter Shell Helmet

The Helmet Statistic

Take a look at the graph of

the percent of victims with

head injury among helmeted

and non-helmeted drivers in

collisions.

Helmet Law By State

• Of the fifty states, only 4 are 100% helmet law free!

• Of the other 46 states, 20 have full helmet laws for all motorcycle riders:

• 19 States have helmet laws that exempt adult riders, riders over the age of majority -- 18 years old and over.

• There are 7 states that discriminate against adult bikers between the ages of 18 and 20.

Tips for Riding

Take a motorcycle riding course.

Always wear proper riding gear. Leather jacket, Pant, Boots and

most important a DOT motorcycle helmet.

Ride a bike that fits your body style.

Always check your bike for maintenance that might need attention.

Wet roads offer less grip than dry roads.

Don’t ride a motorcycle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Excessive Speed KillsBelow are photos of what happens when you ride carelessly.

So Wear Your Helmet And Ride Safely

Some Day It Will Be The LAW In Illinois