Motorcycle crash statistics in USA, indicate that helmets are about 29 percent effective in preventing crash fatalities. That is, on average, riders wearing a helmet have a 29 percent better chance of surviving a crash than riders without a helmet.

Many motorcyclists feel that, although effective in reducing injuries, helmets may increase a rider's risk of crashing due to their effect on the motorcyclist's ability to see and hear surrounding traffic.

A study sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (USA) assessed the effects of motorcycle helmets upon seeing and hearing by having 50 riders operate over a test route, changing lanes in response to an audible signal under three helmet conditions: none, partial coverage, and full coverage. Half of the subjects were assessed for the degree of head rotation during lane changes, while the other half were assessed for hearing threshold (decibel level at which they first responded to the signal)
The study indicated that helmets do not restrict the motorcyclist's ability to hear and insignificantly restrict lateral vision in surrounding traffic.

In the hearing tests, no significant difference was found in rider's ability to hear traffic, either between helmet types or between helmet and no helmet. Hearing ability was significantly affected by vehicle speed due to increased wind noise. However, for any given speed, helmets did not diminish nor enhance heating.

The vision tests showed that the minimal amount of the lateral vision (field of view) that is sacrificed by wearing a helmet can be made up by turning the head a little further. Nineteen of the 23 riders who were given the vision tests compensated for helmet use by turning their head a little further before changing lanes. Four riders did not compensate. For those that compensated by turning further, the time required for checking did not increase significantly.


In other words, for most riders, helmet use did not result in a significant loss in the ability to see traffic or in the time required check for traffic.

From the Indian perspective, the city traffic usually crawls. Motorcyclist zip thro' traffic, cutting lanes and this makes driving two-wheelers even more risky. Two-wheeler accidents contribute a major part in the total of over 65000 fatal accidents that occur on Indian roads every year.

Overall, any negative effect of helmets on rider vision appears to be very minor, especially in comparison to the protection offered by helmets should an crash occur.

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Your safety and protection goes beyond just wearing a helmet. It's important that your helmet fits properly to provide you with the maximum comfort and protection.

Steps in determining proper helmet fit:

Measurement
Measuring the head is a starting point for the entire sizing procedure. Due to varying shapes, heads that are apparently the same size when measured by a tape may not necessarily fit the same size helmet. A small metal tape measure, or a cloth tape may be used to make your initial measurement. The circumference of the head should be measured at a point approximately one inch above the eyebrows in front, and at a point in the back of the head that results in the largest possible measurement. Take several measurements, to make sure you have the largest one.

Trying-On
Once you've determined your preliminary tape measurement, select the helmet that is closest in hat size to the tape measurement. If it is between sizes, roundup to the next largest size. Now try on your helmet.

If you are not familiar with helmets, you should use these instructions on the proper procedure for putting one on:

A. Grasp the helmet by the chin straps, with the front of the helmet facing you and the top of the helmet facing down.

B. Place your thumbs on the inside surface of the straps and balance the helmet with your index fingers.

C. Spread the helmet apart with your hands, and slip it down over your head. Helmets of different shapes go on differently.

Sometimes, the front of the helmet must go on first; other times, the rear. If the helmet flops down on your head with no resistance, you have your first indication that it may be too large. Obviously, if it won't slide down over your head at all, it is too small.
Many people unfamiliar with helmets are reluctant to pull down if they meet resistance as the helmet goes on. To tell if it is really too small, or just snug going on you should continue the effort to get the helmet on. Only if the helmet is impossible to put on should you move up to the next size, as helmets that go on snug generally fit very well once on all the way.
Remember, most people will select a helmet that is too large for them. They will regret it later, because ill-fitting helmets are more likely to be noisy, windy and fatiguing to wear.
We have noted that some people have a tendency to wear a helmet perched on the backs of their heads, like hats. Be sure that the helmet is sitting squarely on your head. Use the location of the eyes in the eyeport of a full face model as a gauge.
The eyes should be approximately in the center, with the top edge of the liner padding just above the eyebrows.

Checking Horizontal and Vertical Movement
Now that you are wearing the helmet, use a mirror to look carefully at the way it fits. Check to see if the cheek pads are in contact with the cheeks. Is there excess pressure on the cheeks?
Look for gaps between the temples and the brow pad.
Check the back of the helmet where the neck roll (if the helmet has one) makes contact with the neck. Does it touch at all? Or is it pushing the helmet away at the rear, causing it to roll down over the eyes in front?

After you have made your visual check, grab the helmet in your hands - one on either side - and try to rotate the helmet from side-to-side. Note any movement of the skin while doing this, as well as the amount of resistance to movement. Hold your head steady to do this.
Next check movement up and down, again noting skin movement and resistance. If in either test there was little or no skin movement, and/or the helmet moved very easily, the helmet is too large. It is important to note here that you should think about the comfort of the helmet during the fitting process - with respect to comfort, pressure points, or anything else that will help you make the right sizing choice.
A properly fitted helmet will cause the skin to move as the helmet moves. And, it will feel to the wearer as if evenly distributed pressure is being continuously exerted around the head.
NOTE: Helmets are a little like shoes, in that they do break in a little. For this reason, the best attitude to have when fitting is that the helmet should be as tight fitting as you can stand to wear it - taking into consideration the length of time it will be worn.
For Example: A drag racer's helmet can be very tight, because it will only be worn for a few minutes at a time. On the other hand, a police officer, who wears a helmet for hours at a time is more concerned with comfort.

Retention Check
Now fasten the chin strap, so you can check it. After the strap has been tightly fastened, hold your head steady, and note that this test may be a little uncomfortable, but that it is very important. Reach over the top of the helmet, grabbing the bottom edge with your fingers. Then try to roll the helmet off your head. If it comes off, it is undoubtedly too large.
NOTE: Do not use a helmet that can be rolled off the head with the strap fastened! Try not to cause severe pain, but do give a good, strong pull on the helmet. THIS TEST IS VERY IMPORTANT.

Pressure Point Check
Finally, unfasten the chin strap and remove the helmet. Immediately after the helmet has been removed, use a mirror to observe the coloration of the skin on the forehead and cheeks. A reddening of the skin in a small area may indicate a pressure point.
Pressure points sometimes are not noticed by the wearer until after several minutes, or even hours of wear. They sometimes cause headaches and are, at the least, uncomfortable. If you notice a pressure point, note if you experienced discomfort in that area while wearing the helmet. If you can't remember, put the helmet back on for a few minutes, paying particular attention to the anticipated pressure point(s). If the pressure point discomfort continues, go to the next largest size, repeating steps three, four and five.

Confirming Proper Fit
One way to confirm your evaluation of proper fit is to try on helmets that are one size larger and one size smaller than the one you think is right. Keep in mind that people gravitate towards larger sizes. Another way, is to wear the helmet around the store for a few minutes. This will allow any pressure points to show up.
WARNING: No helmet can protect the user from all foreseeable impacts. For maximum protection, a helmet must fit securely and should provide adequate peripheral vision. The chin strap must be securely fastened.



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