Road traffic accidents are a major public health concern and a leading source of death and disability worldwide. Road crashes kill over 1.2 million people each year, and millions more are maimed or handicapped. Motorcycle and bicycle riders make up a major number of individuals wounded or killed on the roads in many low- and middle-income nations, as motorbikes and bicycles are becoming increasingly common modes of transportation. Riders of motorcycles and bicycles are more likely to be involved in a collision. This is because they frequently share the road with fast-moving cars, buses, and trucks, as well as the fact that they are less visible. Furthermore, their lack of physical protection leaves them especially vulnerable to injury in the event of a collision.
Motorcycle deaths typically account for 5 per cent to 18 per cent of all road fatalities in most high-income nations. This percentage represents the combined influence of several major factors, including the comparatively low ownership and use of motorbikes in many industrialised countries, as well as the relatively high risk of fatal crashes involving these motorcycles. Typically, the risks of riding a motorcycle are substantially higher than those of driving a car.
Car ownership and use are often substantially lower in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. Motorcycle and other two-wheeler ownership and use, on the other hand, is relatively common. As a result of this disparity, motorcycle rider fatalities as a percentage of all road injuries are often greater in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries.
What are the materials used to make helmets?
- Fibreglass Reinforced Plastic or high impact ABS, Polycarbonate, Thermoplastic, Kevlar, carbon fibre, or a mix of those materials make up the hard outer shell. Its principal purpose is to protect the wearer’s head in the case of an impact or abrasion, as well as to keep outside items like rocks, etc. from penetrating their head. The shell materials were chosen for their ability to break up gently and not catastrophically under impact or abrasion.
- The impact-absorbing liner, which is commonly made of expanded polystyrene, is located inside the outer shell. This is a thick layer that is responsible for cushioning and absorbing the shock when the bike comes to a halt due to impact.
- The soft layer is the comfort cushioning. It contributes to the comfort and the helmet’s proper fit. It absorbs moisture quickly and disperses it across a vast surface area, allowing for rapid evaporation. The rider can remove the padding from some higher-end helmets for cleaning or washing.
- In the event of a crash, the retention mechanism retains the helmet on their head. It’s safe to say that wearing a helmet without the strap tightened is equivalent to not wearing one at all. Helmet straps are divided into two categories: Quick Release and Double D.
It is vital to wear something worth their life when it comes to safety. All on-road helmets must meet specific requirements. Dealers and distributors of motorcycle helmets must verify that the products they sell are of high quality. Don’t buy a helmet for a low price from a roadside helmet shop.