Motorcycle Tips for Preventing Motorcycle InjuriesTips in PreventingMotorcycle Injuriesby: Kay ZetkinSafety in riding motorcycles in order to preventinjuries is avery critical issue especially during the peak of motorcycleseason. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons are verymuch concerned about this issue since there are almost always alot of motorcycle accidents happening at least one every fewdays. Most injuries noted from the people brought in the level onetrauma units range from serious musculoskeletal injuries,open fractures and head traumas from motorcycle accidents.The increasing accidents are linked to the increased number ofmotorcycles 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 registeredvehicles in the United States and accounted for 0.34 percent ofvehicle miles traveled. However, crashes involving motorcyclesaccounted for 7.6 percent of total traffic fatalities onAmerica’s roadways. As recently reported by the US Department ofTransportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA), in 2002 there were 42,815 fatalities from motorcycleaccidents. What’s alarming is this is the highest level offatality report since 1990.While some accidents cause injuries or lifetime paralysis, someresult to fatalities. Thus, these incidents should be a constantreminder for motorcyclists to protect themselves.According to Maureen Finnegan, MD, professor at the University ofTexas and orthopedic surgeon at Parkland Hospital in Dallas,most motorcycle injuries involve the extremities and the spinalcord. Majority of fatalities are results of head injuries. Thus,she said that the most important tip for motorcycle safety is towear a helmet. Wearing helmets are estimated to be 29 percenteffective in preventing fatal injuries and 67 percent effectivein preventing brain injuries for motorcyclists. Another thing isthe wearing of proper clothing in riding and of course, reallylearning how to ride a motorcycle and handle certain situationsthroughout the ride.Here are other helpful tips in preventing motorcycle injuries:• Get professionally trained in motorcycle riding. Research showsthat more than 90 percent of all riders that were involved incrashes are just self-taught or taught by friends.• Secure your license to drive. Nearly 27 percent or one out offour motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes in 2001 was notproperly licensed.• Do not drink and ride. Those most at risk in getting intoaccidents are inebriated motorcyclists.• Use helmets that meet the DOT (Department of Transportation)standards.• Wear protective clothing – this includes goggles or sun shadesfor eye protection, jacket, full- fingered gloves, long pants andover-the-ankle boots.• Make sure that your motorcycle clothing and gears are made ofabrasion-resistant material, such as leather. Avoid loose,flailing clothing that could impair your vision.• Wearing brightly colored garments may help other vehiclessee/notice you.• Proper maintenance and monitoring of your bike is of highimportance. Observe proper lane positioning of your bike tofurther increase your visibility to drivers. Keeping a “spacecushion” between your bike and other traffic should also be keptin mind.• Avoid sharing a lane with a car since its driver may not expectyou to be there or may not become aware of your presence. Mostdrivers look out for other bigger vehicles that they may fail tonotice you instantly unless something has happened already.• Ride according to your skill level. Never overestimateyourself. -30-Kay Zetkin discovered the pleasure of writing through her dailyjournals as a teen-ager. Writing in it helped sort out herthoughts, relieve her feelings and record what she observes ofthe world.For her, writing is an effective tool to express yourviewpoints… To write is already to choose, thus, writing shouldbe done along with a critical mind and a caring soul. She hopesto become more professional, skilled and mature in her craft.Aside from writing Kay spends her time reading. Reading lets hertravel to far-off imagined places and situations. She also learnsa lot from devouring books, especially from the socio-politicaland historical ones.For comments and inquiries about the article visithttp://www.aftermarketmotorcyclepartsnow.comIf you liked what Steel Horse News has to say pass it on Clickhere to email this to a friend.Amazon.com WidgetsCopyright© Steel Horse MotorcycleNews. May 15, 2012.