Safety in riding motorcycles in order to prevent injuries is a
very critical issue especially during the peak of motorcycle
season. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons are very
much concerned about this issue since there are almost always a
lot of motorcycle accidents happening at least one every few
days. Most injuries noted from the people brought in the Level
One Trauma Units range from serious musculoskeletal injuries,
open fractures and head traumas from motorcycle accidents. The
increasing accidents are linked to the increased number of
motorcycles on the road. Records show that since 1997,
motorcycles sales increased to more than 90%. Last 2001,
motorcycles represented only 2.2 percent of all registered
vehicles in the United States and accounted for 0.34 percent of
vehicle miles traveled. However, crashes involving motorcycles
accounted for 7.6 percent of total traffic fatalities on
America's roadways. As recently reported by the US Department of
Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), in 2002 there were 42,815 fatalities from motorcycle
accidents. What’s alarming is this is the highest level of
fatality report since 1990. While some accidents cause injuries
or lifetime paralysis, some result to fatalities. Thus, these
incidents should be a constant reminder for motorcyclists to
protect themselves. According to Maureen Finnegan, MD, professor
at the University of Texas and orthopaedic surgeon at Parkland
Hospital in Dallas, most motorcycle injuries involve the
extremities and the spinal cord. Majority of fatalities are
results of head injuries. Thus, she said that the most important
tip for motorcycle safety is to wear a helmet. Wearing helmets
are estimated to be 29 percent effective in preventing fatal
injuries and 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries
for motorcyclists. Another thing is the wearing of proper
clothing in riding and of course, really learning how to ride a
motorcycle and handle certain situations throughout the ride.
Here are other helpful tips in preventing motorcycle injuries:
•Get professionally trained in motorcycle riding. Research shows
that more than 90 percent of all riders that were involved in
crashes are just self-taught or taught by friends. •Secure your
license to drive. Nearly 27 percent or one out of four
motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes in 2001 was not properly
licensed. •Do not drink and ride. Those most at risk in getting
into accidents are inebriated motorcyclists. •Use helmets that
meet the DOT (Department of Transportation) standards. •Wear
protective clothing – this includes goggles or sun shades for
eye protection, jacket, full- fingered gloves, long pants and
over-the-ankle boots. •Make sure that your motorcycle clothing
and gears are made of abrasion-resistant material, such as
leather. Avoid loose, flailing clothing that could impair your
vision. •Wearing brightly colored garments may help other
vehicles see/notice you. •Proper maintenance and monitoring of
your bike is of high importance. Observe proper lane positioning
of your bike to further increase your visibility to drivers.
Keeping a "space cushion" between your bike and other traffic
should also be kept in mind. •Avoid sharing a lane with a car
since its driver may not expect you to be there or may not
become aware of your presence. Most drivers look out for other
bigger vehicles that they may fail to notice you instantly
unless something has happened already. •Ride according to your
skill level. Never overestimate yourself. -30-
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