FACE the RISK, ESCAPE the INJURY

by: maricon williams
Life is full of risk. That is already an evident fact. But when you are a motorcyclist or a racer, the risk is double or triple depending on the circumstances. You can’t be a racer when you fear risks. Racers, riders and motorcyclist alike are facing all the risks that come to their face everyday. Fall, injury, limp, fracture and the possibility of death are some of the risks that racers face. How do they face risks? First, they gear up. Riders choose the best motorcycle apparel to complement their driving needs. Protective gears, helmet, gloves, footwear, pants, jackets and the likes are meticulously selected. Do not try to drive with your usual attire – jeans, t-shirt and sneakers. You are just inviting danger! Second, they make sure that their motorcycle parts are in good driving condition and are road-worthy. Come the blazing sun, come night, come the rain, still their motorcycles are not that affected because they are well-maintained. Maintenance is part of the duties of a motorcyclist. Third vital prevention is saying no to alcohol and drugs. Do not ride when you are under the influence of these stuffs. They make you drowsy and your concentration and skill in driving is likewise influenced. This will most likely endanger your life and other lives as well. Susan Wells et al., in their study found the following results: Crash related injuries occurred mainly in urban zones with 50 km/h speed limit (66%), during the day (63%), and in fine weather (72%). After adjustment for potential confounders, drivers wearing any reflective or fluorescent clothing had a 37% lower risk (multivariate odds ratio 0.63, 95% confidence interval 0.42 to 0.94) than other drivers. Compared with wearing a black helmet, use of a white helmet was associated with a 24% lower risk (multivariate odds ratio 0.76, 0.57 to 0.99). Self reported light colored helmet versus dark colored helmet was associated with a 19% lower risk. Three quarters of motorcycle riders had their headlight turned on during the day, and this was associated with a 27% lower risk (multivariate odds ratio 0.73, 0.53 to 1.00). No association occurred between risk and the frontal color of drivers' clothing or motorcycle. If these odds ratios are unconfounded, the population attributable risks are 33% for wearing no reflective or fluorescent clothing, 18% for a non-white helmet, 11% for a dark colored helmet, and 7% for no daytime headlight operation. In the study of Wells together with her companions, they concluded that low conspicuity may increase the risk of motorcycle crash related injury. Thus, increasing the use of reflective or fluorescent clothing, white or light colored helmets, and daytime headlights are simple, cheap interventions that could considerably reduce motorcycle crash related injury and death. Break the dark spell of riding… choose your fate!