Safety Gear Makes a Difference

Posted in Motorcycle Accident on September 4, 2014

Wearing proper safety gear when you’re riding your motorcycle protects you from serious injury and can even safe your life. According to the journal “Accident Analysis and Prevention,” states with universal helmet laws have motorcyclist fatality rates 22 to 33 percent lower on average than states without helmet regulations.

Before you hit the road on your bike, make sure you and your passenger are wearing the appropriate safety gear. This reduces your risk of injury while riding and keeps you in compliance with applicable Colorado state law.

Helmets and Eye Protection

While Colorado law doesn’t require motorcyclists who are at least 18 years of age to wear helmets, this essential piece of safety gear is known to save lives by protecting the head from blunt impact trauma in the event of a crash. Motorcyclists under 18 must wear a helmet anytime they’re operating a bike or riding as a passenger.

Make certain the helmet you chose is approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation, as this ensures it meets rigorous safety standards. In addition to the DOT approval, your helmet should also fit properly to offer maximum protection.

Consider the following points when you’re evaluating the helmet’s fit to ensure it will protect you adequately in the event of an accident:

• Your helmet should have a comfortable and snug fit on your head. A helmet that slides off or shifts around easily while you’re wearing it is not fitted correctly. Your helmet should fit around and over your eyewear properly if you have to wear glasses while riding and your chinstrap shouldn’t cinch or pinch your neck.
• When you’re wearing your helmet, you should have clear vertical vision and 100 percent peripheral vision.
• A helmet must rest tightly against the forehead. If you can fit your thumb between your forehead and the helmet, it’s too loose.

Unlike helmets, eye protection is required for all motorcyclists and their passengers under Colorado law. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, acceptable safety eyewear includes eyeglasses or goggles with safety glass or plastic lenses and helmet visors. A bike windshield alone is not considered adequate, because insects or road debris can fly into your face and reduce visibility.

Clothing Matters

There is no state law that specifies a motorcyclist’s clothing, but what you wear while you’re on your motorcycle can affect your safety. When you’re selecting clothes to wear before heading out on your bike, remember the following tips:

• Wear at least one brightly colored article of clothing. Bright clothes make you clearly visible to other motorists.
• Always consider the possibility of a crash when you’re getting dressed so you’re wearing clothing that will protect your body should an accident occur.
• Your protective clothing should include boots that go over your ankles, a durable jacket with long sleeves, gloves with full fingers and long pants.

While it may be tempting to forgo safety gear to save time or for comfort reasons, doing so could cost you dearly. Make sure you’re dressed properly every time you take your bike out on the road. Learn more at: www.zanerhardenlaw.com.