The debate over motorcycle helmets is surprisingly heated, with a wide range of arguments for and against certain helmet styles and for the standards that helmet manufacturers follow.
But one of the more specific questions asked is this: Why is there such concern that full-face motorcycle helmets can paralyze you if you were to get into an accident?
In a focus group conducted by the Department of Transportation in Hawaii a few years back, they found that some riders were concerned over the risk of neck injuries as a result of wearing helmets. These riders rode without helmets to forego their perceived risk of a neck injury and, ultimately, paralysis if they crashed.
While there are many variables about a crash to even present here-weather conditions, where the motorcycle is hit, where the rider lands-there are motorcyclists who simply refuse to wear a helmet, regardless of the style. Some of the members of the focus group stated that “Helmets can make you a quadriplegic,” and “I would rather die than be a quadriplegic.” The notion of paralysis seemed to be synonymous with wearing a helmet.
Now this is just one study conducted, but a remarkable number of sites share a common unease about the trade-off involved.
In this article, there is a vivid description of what happens when you sustain a serious head injury, and it’s followed by this: “To prevent all that ugly stuff from happening, we wear helmets. Modern, full face helmets, if we have enough brains to protect, that is.” Clearly, this author leans towards complete coverage of the head and face while out motorcycling and he sets forth his researched beliefs as to why.
This website also offers praise in favor of the full face helmet, explaining, “Full face motorcycle helmets are the absolute, king of rider head protection…the full face motorcycle helmet is your best choice for having the most protection and the best chance of walking away from a wreck.” Is this convincing enough for some riders?
According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, it was estimated that helmets are 37 percent successful in the prevention of fatal injuries to motorcyclists, with the success rate of passengers estimated at 41 percent. Novelty helmets, however, have been found to put motorcyclists at a “higher risk for skull fracture and brain injury when compared to certified helmets.”
Unfortunately, there really is no definitive answer to the question of whether or not full-face helmets increase the likelihood of sustaining neck injuries or even paralysis. It would help considerably if more research were to be conducted on this issue, in order to dispel or support the claims that circulate daily on the web.
In the meantime, you can check out motorcycle safety reminders here and, most importantly, ride safely.
