“harley”by Hungarian Snow is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
With the warmer weather, you may want to dust off your motorcycle for a nice summer ride. But did you know that most motorcycle accidents happen on short trips of five miles or less? Additionally, most accidents happen with the motorcycle traveling slower than 30 miles per hour. In addition to riding safely, remember to dress safely. Wearing the proper motorcycle gear can protect you and your passengers from potential significant injury if an accident occurs. So, let us review what you should wear to stay safe on the roads.
Motorcycle Helmets
Motorcycle helmets are one of the most obvious ways to protect yourself while on a motorcycle. In Wisconsin, both passengers and riders 17 years or younger must wear a helmet on any motorcycle with an engine greater than 50ccs or on motorcycles capable of exceeding 30mph. And even though there is no mandated helmet law in Illinois, you should still always wear a helmet when riding on your motorcycle. Whether you wear a full-face helmet, or a three-quarter helmet is up to your own personal preferences. Whichever helmet you choose, you should check for a few things:
- Make sure the helmet meets U.S. Department of Transportation and state safety standards.
- Be sure that the helmet fits snuggly, all around your head.
- Check to make sure that the helmet is free from defects like cracks on the outer shell, loose padding on the inside, or frayed, weakened chin straps.
Eyewear
Regardless of the helmet laws, both Illinois and Wisconsin require eye protection while on your motorcycle. Illinois requires eye protection during day and night rides, unless the motorcycle has a windscreen. Wisconsin also requires eye protection during day and night rides, unless the motorcycle has a state-approved windscreen that rises 15 or more inches from the handlebars. Before you hit the road, quickly verify the condition of the eyewear by checking the following:
- Eye protections should be free from scratches, and resistant to penetration.
- Eye protection should give a clear view on either side of the eyes for increased visibility.
- Eye protection fit snugly and comfortably to the face, leaving room for eyeglasses or sunglasses, if needed.
Other Motorcycle Gear and Clothing
The less exposed skin you have while riding, the safer you are from injury in an accident. Wear jackets and pants that cover your arms and legs completely. Wear boots with a hard, slip-resistant sole that rise above the ankle. Wear full-finger gloves to protect your hands and get a good grip on the handles.
By wearing the proper motorcycle safety gear, you can better protect yourself from severe injury in the event of an accident. If you or someone you know has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer today for a free consultation. With considerable experience representing people involved in motorcycle accidents, let R.F. Wittmeyer fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
