Safe way of riding Two Wheelers
 
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Safe way of riding Two Wheelers

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Last Updated On: 06/06/2013  

The motorized two-wheeler rider is the one most likely to sustain serious injuries no matter what he hits- a pedestrian, a cat or another vehicle. This is because he is traveling at a speed more than 15 kmph without any protection around, and the human body is not able to tolerate forces generated when the head or any other bone hits hard and rigid objects at speed higher than 15 kmph.

Avoid Accident

This can be done in two ways:

Speed control: In most cases accidents are the direct result of fast driving because the one who is driving faster gets lesser time to take corrective action and lesser control over the vehicle.

Conspicuity: MTW riders should make themselves and their vehicles as visible as possible especially at night. Yellow and orange are the only colors visible both in day and at night. Wear vests or jackets and helmets of these colors. Paste reflective strips on all sides of the helmet and at the front, back and sides of your vehicle. During daytime you can make your presence felt by keeping your headlights on.

Helmets

Every time you go out for a drive, wear a helmet properly strapped below the chin because helmets are very effective in reducing the severity of head injuries in a crash.

Facts about Helmet

It does not obstruct vision.
It does not interfere with hearing.
It does not build up dangerous temperatures inside the helmet.
It does not cause fatigue which causes crashes.
It does not cause skin diseases.
It does not increase the probability of neck injuries.

Kinds of helmets to be used

It should have a thick padding of thermocole- at least 20 mm-, which must extend to the sides of the head. A full face helmet is safer by all means.

Components of the helmet and their roles

  • The Shell: The shell of a helmet is an injection molded thermoplastic or a pressure molded thermostat that is reinforced with glass fibers or made of fiberglass.
    • It absorbs energy in an impact:- The shell bends when the helmet is impacted and the underlying foam deforms. At moderate speeds the shell can take one-third of the impact energy.
    • It distributes local forces from an impact: - Rigid objects like stone or a projecting beam can cause a skull fracture at low forces, the shell acts to distribute the force of such impact eliminating the risk of penetration.
    • It allows sliding on road surfaces: - The shell being rigid and having a convex shape allows the helmet to slide along a road surface without there being an excessive force.
    • It protects the face and temples: - Full-face helmet is beneficial in protecting the face and jaw. The chin bar of such helmets contain rigid foam to absorb energy for direct blows on the chin, prevent facial bone fractures and prevent the lower part of the forehead and temple being struck.
  • The foam liner: This is a molding of polystyrene beads or polyurethane foam. It provides a stopping distance for the head. The foam can compress by 90% during an impact, although it recovers partially afterwards. But this helps increase the stopping distance thus reducing the peak deceleration of the head. It also protects as much as possible of the head.
  • Proper strapping system: It is essential to wear a well-fitting helmet for the effective working of chinstrap system. To test if the helmet fits your head properly, tightly fasten the chinstrap and then pull helmet off forward by gripping the rear and then pulling. The strap must be threaded correctly so that the buckle locks the strap when it is pulled from the chin side. The strap must be pulled as tight as is bearable under the chin.
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