Why the Right Motorcycle Helmet Matters
At Cognitive Evaluation Services, I regularly evaluate the cognitive and emotional effects of traumatic brain injury, so whenever I see motorcyclists without a proper helmet, my neuropsychologist alarm bells go off. There is simply too much at stake when it comes to protecting the brain.
A motorcycle crash can expose the head to tremendous forces. Even when a rider survives a crash without obvious external injuries, the brain can be injured by rapid acceleration, deceleration, rotation, or impact. Traumatic brain injuries can range from mild concussions to severe, life-threatening injuries.
Not all motorcycle helmets provide the same level of protection. 🏍️
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) cautions consumers about unsafe or “novelty” motorcycle helmets that may provide substantially less protection than a properly constructed motorcycle helmet.
🚩Some warning signs of an unsafe helmet include:
Very thin construction
Little or no protective inner foam
Flimsy chin straps or plastic buckles
Extremely lightweight construction
Marketing that emphasizes being the “thinnest” or “lightest” helmet
Skullcap-style designs with minimal coverage
Missing or questionable DOT certification labeling
Rigid decorative projections
NHTSA provides guidance for identifying potentially unsafe helmets:
✅What should motorcycle riders look for?
Look for a helmet that meets applicable federal safety standards and provides substantial coverage and impact protection.
Fit matters, too. A helmet should be snug and appropriately sized for the rider’s head.
Full-face coverage offers protection to more of the head and face than helmets with minimal coverage.
For more information about choosing the right helmet, click this link:
While no helmet can guarantee that a rider will avoid a traumatic brain injury, an appropriately designed and properly fitted helmet is an important step in reducing the risk of serious head injury. And I sincerely hope that I never see you or your loved one for a brain injury evaluation!
🧠 Protect the brain you have. It deserves more protection than the minimum.
This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical evaluation or individualized medical advice.
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