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
Half Shell
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.
Three Quarter
Shell Helmet
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.
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 Kills
Below 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