A Problem Exists
Riding motorcycles without a helmet can be equated to confronting a risk head on while hoping that chances will likely save you. The best way to stay safe is by preventing the risk in the first place rather than trying to find ways of reducing the impact of the risk. The numbers of motorcycle accidents over the recent past are evidence as to why all motorcycle riders should wear their helmets at all times when riding their motorcycles. Several studies have been conducted by different companies trying to look into the issue of whether the helmets have any correlation to the number of accidents, and indeed, a strong correlation has been established between the two. The point that stands out at the end of several analyses just convinces me further that helmets save lives and even reduce the costs of healthcare ("Motorcycle Helmets – Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety", 2016).
According to a report fact sheet by the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, motorcycles were termed as the most hazardous form of transport. This was after statistics showed that in the year 2013 a total of 4,668 motorcyclists lost their lives on the roads in the U.S. In addition to this number of fatal incidents another 88,000 more were injured on American roads. One of the most important statistic however following these cases by the National Highways Transport Safety Authority (NHTSA) was that an estimated 1,630 lives of motorcyclists were saved in this particular year because these cyclists were wearing the helmets.
In addition to these lives that were saved, it was also discovered that 715 more of the lost lives could have been saved had the riders been wearing the helmets at the time of their death. The number of fatalities who are involved in the motorcycle crashes has been far doubled from a figure of 2,116 crash deaths in 1997. Among all the proposed laws and recommendations concerning the use of helmets use by motorcyclists judging from this history it is clear that this law would most likely decrease the number of deaths on the roads, reduce the cases of injuries and also save the citizens of the country a lot of money in the form of taxes in hospital dues.
The first problem of not wearing a helmet can be viewed from the importance of wearing a helmet. It is critically vital that the helmet is out on as it protects the motorcycle rider from coming into direct contact with solid materials which may interfere with sight or even the breathing system during riding and eventually lead to fatal accidents. For instance, the motorcyclist may come into contact with smoke, high winds and also dust. These materials and elements are inevitable when one is cycling on highways and the worst part is that they might end up destabilizing the motorcyclist causing him to run into people or property in his path (Alam, Chowdhury, Wei, Mustary, & Zimmer, 2014).
These obstructions which might end up compromising the cyclists view are the main reasons behind the potential hazards and disaster on the road. Therefore to ensure that these helmets are highly protective then they should also have a face shield which is transparent. Most riders against the idea of the helmets suggest that they can be substituted by glasses. I, however, object this proposal because glass cannot handle the tough, solid material which may cause them to break or be completely knocked off of the riders’ face. Moreover, glasses are not very effective when the rider is moving at a very fast pace as they can be easily blown off by the wind gusts. A well-fitting helmet, on the other hand, remains intact in the course of riding and cannot easily be blown off someone’s head or is less likely to suffer breakage.
Another problem associated with not wearing a helmet is that majority of the head injuries in accidents are likely to be fatal. This is backed by expert recommendation in the medical profession. It was realized that the injuries sustained on the head in the case of an accident are the most harmful as compared to any other injuries sustained in any other part of the body. The injuries sustained on the head in most instances are permanent, and majority of them are linked to permanent impairment. These injuries range from traumatic injuries of the brain to permanent body stroke. The disabilities sustained in the brain can link to other parts of the body through the spine and therefore one may be restricted from locomotion or even interfere with the speech of a victim.
These head injuries can be easily avoided should the rider decide to put on a helmet which is well fitted with cushioning materials from the inside. These materials are responsible for the absorption of shock and impact which is sustained by the rider in the case of an accident. According to research conducted by the John Hopkins Medical School, they were able to analyze statistics which show that the motorcycle riders are less likely to sustain injuries to the spine in the case they are wearing the helmet at the time of the accident. Most of the fatalities were found to have arisen from the drivers not wearing the helmet consistently with every ride they took. As a result of the many injuries sustained by the riders, some states like Virginia made it a requirement that all the motorcyclists should wear a helmet and in addition they should put on safety glasses and a face shield underneath. In support of the effort and the reasoning statistics compiled in 2009 depicted that 69 out of the total 2,115 crashes ended in fatalities.
The third problem which the helmet serves to avoid is by protecting some of the essential organs located in the head region which include the eyes and the ears. It has been identified that in the case of an accident the injuries sustained by the vital organs such as the ears and the eyes may lead to setbacks for the rest of a person’s life. This is because in the case one has lost his eyesight it means the person has to go back to school to learn some essential elementary and basic lessons to be able to read and even communicate with others. This can be in the form of acquiring sign language and even having to learn how to read braille and other forms of acquiring education or communicating with people. This might cost someone’s education career and even the social lifestyle. If it happens that the one who sustains the injuries was working in the social sector then it means the nation will have lost labor or even the limited skilled people in a particular field and if this is not a very big issue the problem comes in the footing of the medical bill for this particular person comes up. The resources which would rather have been put into other uses fit for the development of a nation, or a person is channeled towards the footing of titanic medical bills (Chong, Wang, Phi, Lee, & Kim, 2016).
It is, therefore, evident from the above statements that putting on a helmet is indeed the most efficient and convenient way to ensure that accidents which involve motorcycles do not cost the life of a person or even lead to the sustenance of permanent injuries which would have been avoided in the first place. Time and again we have been able to hear the rhetoric and stories of people sustaining injuries and even dying as a result of not putting on the helmets. What we all know is that any person can endure bodily injuries because we always come across them in our day to day activities. The head trauma is however not a debatable issue because it is arguably the worst injury in which majority of the motorcycle riders do not get to recover from.
The motorcycle use is increasingly becoming popular across many cities and even towns because one can easily maneuver through the traffic jams in towns to other places without much difficulty. This means that there is a need for the government to show concern to ensure that the rapid growth of the motorcycle use does not translate to a rise in the death of the people who use these particular motorbikes to transport goods and even people from one place to another. The best way to ensure that the safety of these people is guaranteed is by enforcing the helmet laws which ensure that the users of the motorcycles do not put their lives at risk and also the lives of other road users.
Solution to the Problem and Advantages
There are so many reasons cited by those who are against the practice of wearing the helmet. Some of the reasons include the fact that the helmets might increase the severity of the injuries sustained especially on the neck in the case of an injury due to the addition of weight on the head during the accident. They also go ahead to state that these helmets tend to obstruct the riders and at times prevent them from interacting with stimuli such as sounds when the helmet is completely sealed. These are just among the few cited reasons however from all these cited issues it is evident that none of the issues is justified. However, the arguments cited by those who support the wearing of the helmets is evident that they reduce chances of death and in the case one does not succumb to the injuries sustained he helmets reduce the fatality of these injuries. It is therefore required that one wears the prescribed helmets whenever one is riding a motorcycle. Be it over short or long distances, the helmet is a good protection measure (Rodgers, 2002).
One of the reasons cited by the people who dislike putting on the helmets was that the cost of acquiring the helmets is too much and in most cases the motorcycle owner. They stated that the cheaper helmets are just a waste of resources, and there was no need for covering only the head on the entire human body. My take is that regardless of whether the helmets are cheap or expensive they are not only meant to protect the head from injuries. As earlier stated the helmets are also meant to offer protection against dust, smoke, and strong winds. This is because an excess of these factors might end up affecting the rider on the road. Recent studies have also confirmed that one of the causes of the motorcycle accidents is a resultant of the riders of these motorcycles not wearing the helmets at all.
In addition to these particular studies, another test conducted by one of the leading laboratories in the United States on the so-called cheap and expensive helmets. It was observed that there is no much difference between the classifications of these helmets. This was indeed proof that the users of the helmets should not pay too much attention to the quality of these helmets as much as they are duly approved for the sale in the markets within the country (Thompson, Rivara, & Thompson, 2000). The prices should not be a reason for not putting on this important kit as much as one is on the road. The only concern should be whether the helmet fits well because this is the only risky aspect of using the helmets. The issue of price should also not be a reason because in most cases when one is purchasing these bikes they come with a helmet which is recommended for use. Therefore, the rider of the motorcycle should always ensure he or she puts it on.
As part of the solution and assurance that the helmet is a guarantee for the reduced risk, it is important that the user of the helmet looks out for some specifications on the helmet. One should occasionally inspect the helmet to find out whether the helmet requires or needs repair or even in the extreme cases it needs to be replaced. The based way to undertake this check and inspection is by having a close check of the outer covering of the helmet while undertaking the checks there are specific details one ought to look out for. You should look out for the small cracks which tend to occur around the edges of the shell of the helmet. These cracks are a definite indicator that the helmet is indeed aging, and it needs replacement. In addition to these exterior checks, the one extra precaution one should also have a look at the liner within the helmet. It should always be firm, the thickness of the inner cushion or foam should also be even throughout the helmet, it should not be compressed at any particular point. Finally, the buckles and the straps on the helmet should not be worn-out as well.
It is obvious that most states within the U.S are advocates of the safety for most of the motorcyclists and even those who ride the bicycles. To ensure that his advocacy remains practical, the state should rally for the implementation and promulgation of these advocacies to the law based on strict implementation. The law on its own cannot work as expected. People ought to be educated as to why it is important to wear these helmets (Thompson C, NUNN E, Thompson S, & Rivara P, 1996). The education should also take into account the statistics which are a proof of the importance of these helmets. They should depict the role played by these particular helmets in reducing the fatalities in the case of an accident. If this is not enough, the education should also extend to the lesson on how these helmets should be correctly worn and even their correct use. When all his is done, then it will ensure that those people who own the helmets voluntarily wear them and adhere to the law that guides them on how to do it.
Several types of research have also been carried out throughout the U.S, and the results have shown that the most kids do not wear the helmets as a result of lack of awareness by their parents. The researchers took it upon themselves to ask the parents of these kids why their kids did not own helmets. The parents replied in different kinds of responses which could be interpreted and put into several groups. The first group of parents stated that they had never at any point in time thought of purchasing the helmets, the stated that even if they had thought of purchasing these helmets, the kids would not have bothered to wear the helmets. Others went on to state that their kids only rode in safe areas, and they were not worried that any serious injuries can arise from accidents experienced in these ridings. It is important to note that these general responses were a depiction that the parents did not seem to find the value of the helmets as protective gears of even playing any role in the safety of their kids.
Another group of parents was interviewed on the same this time the research was conducted on the children who own helmets. They were asked why despite having these helmets they do not like wearing them. The two most common responses that were obtained from the interview was that the children either stated that they disliked the fit of the helmets, or they were just not impressed by the style of the helmets. It was evident from the findings that most of the kids seem to wear the helmets if their peers are wearing them too.
It is funny how this issue has been in the public limelight with people trying to debate on whether the wearing of a helmet should be made a law or not. There are so many consequences of not wearing a helmet which spills over to the point of endangering other people’s lives I the course of an accident. It sounds like a debate on whether it is important to take control of a situation before it poses a potential risk rather than having to try and control the problem when it has already claimed someone’s life. My stand is that ‘prevention is always better than cure’ and whenever a situation can be prevented it should be so even if it takes the government initiative in the form of a legislative.
Fatality and injury percentage change rates after helmet law repeal.
Possible Disadvantages of using a Helmet
Those against the wearing of the helmet also state that when one has put on the helmet, it tends to reduce the peripheral vision because it limits the optical navigation. In addition, this cuts down on the ability to hear sounds; these sounds might be a possible warning of a potential crash. The two arguments which can be sighted as the disadvantages are legitimate and valued arguments. The reason I don’t find the first disadvantage as being a big issue is the fact that there are so many types of helmets in the market, over the recent past, there are helmets made of aluminum and steel alloys material which are really tough and light at the same time. These types of helmets offer a solution to those who fear the weight might lead to much damage. To the second point of discontent, I would recommend that the motorcyclists should use the helmets that partially cover the top of the head as opposed to those which completely cover the head.
References.
Alam, F., Chowdhury, H., Wei, H. Z., Mustary, I., & Zimmer, G. (2014). Aerodynamics of ribbed bicycle racing helmets. In Procedia Engineering (Vol. 72, pp. 691–696).
Chong, S., Wang, K., Phi, J., Lee, J., & Kim, S. (2016). Minimally Invasive Suturectomy and Postoperative Helmet Therapy : Advantages and Limitations. J Korean Neurosurg Soc, 59(3), 227. http://dx.doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2016.59.3.227
De Jong, P. (2012). The Health Impact of Mandatory Bicycle Helmet Laws. Risk Analysis, 32(5), 782-790.
Karkhaneh, M. (2006). Effectiveness of bicycle helmet legislation to increase helmet use: a systematic review. Injury Prevention, 12(2), 76-82.
Khambalia, A. (2005). Peer and Adult Companion Helmet Use Is Associated With Bicycle Helmet Use by Children. PEDIATRICS, 116(4), 939-942. http://dx.doi.org/10.1542/peds.2005-0518.
Motorcycle Helmets – Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. (2016). Saferoads.org. Retrieved 22 May 2016, from http://saferoads.org/issues/motorcycle-helmets/
Rodgers, G. (2002). Effects of state helmet laws on bicycle helmet use by children and adolescents. Injury Prevention, 8(1), 42-46. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ip.8.1.42
Thompson C, D., NUNN E, M., Thompson S, R., & Rivara P, F. (1996). Effectiveness of Bicycle Safety Helmets in Preventing Serious Facial Injury. JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association, 276(24), p. 1974–75.
Thompson, D. C., Rivara, F. P., & Thompson, R. (2000). Helmets for preventing head and facial injuries in bicyclists. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Online), (2), CD001855.
