Untitled

Whether you are a driver or a barbecue, NEVER get on a motorcycle without a helmet , not only to comply with the law and avoid a subpoena (in Colombia it is mandatory), but to protect your life on the road.

Traffic accidents, according to Legal Medicine, are the second leading cause of violent death in the country and motorcyclists account for 60% of fatalities.

It is important to note that most of them died from blows to the head, so this confirms the importance of ALWAYS wearing a helmet, because:

Wearing a certified helmet reduces the risk of death in motorcyclists by up to 39%, in addition to reducing the risks of head trauma by 72%, since they must comply with a series of parameters and characteristics in the manufacture and composition of its materials that allow guaranteeing the integrity of the skull.

Its use constitutes a real barrier, preventing direct contact of the skull with any type of object.

It absorbs much of the blow, reduces acceleration and movement of the brain and skull.

Distributes the force of the impact, preventing the blow from concentrating on a specific point on the head.

Types: 

There are three types of helmet: integral, modular, and open. All have to be homologated (they undergo impact, stiffness, extreme environments, retention, projection, and friction tests). The helmet size has to be adequate (60% of motorists do not wear a suitable size. In 20% of serious motorcycle accidents, the helmet is thrown off, due to incorrect size or fastening).

Open helmet

leaves the face in the air and does not protect the jaw.

A Full-Face helmet

(one piece) is the safest: it protects the entire head and face.

Modular helmet

has a piece (chin guard) that can be raised, although it should not be circulated with it raised. Check out

Best Modular Helmets 2020

here.

The helmet must be correctly fastened (a poorly adjusted helmet reduces its effectiveness against impacts), and must always be used, even when maneuvering at low speed (parking can lead to a fall).

A properly chosen helmet can reduce injuries by 69% (without a helmet, the risk of brain injury is multiplied by three), mortality by 42%, and time of hospitalization by 50%.

Expiry:

Helmets expiry their useful life ranges between 3 and 6 years, depending on use, and is due to deterioration of the material over time, deformation of the padding, wear of the straps, etc. If the helmet has suffered a blow, it must be replaced (the impact can damage its components and lose protection capacity).

Recently, multi-density helmets have been developed for oblique impacts, and with an integrated rear-view mirror, which provides a 360º view to the rider.