A motorcycle helmet is a crucial safety accessory not only for riders but also for passengers.

However, people often tend to skip wearing these protective headgears, thereby leading to dangerous accidents.

To avoid such incidents, you must learn and understand the importance of a helmet.

Here, we have put forward a list of several benefits to help you understand the importance of wearing a helmet.

The importance of a helmet can never be understated due to the following reasons:

Reduces the chance of head injuries

Indian roads have become unsafe in recent times. They are choked with a massive number of vehicles. On top of that, most riders and drivers often tend to defy basic traffic norms and regulations.

It has led to an increase in accidents and other traffic-related mishaps. Riding a two-wheeler can be thrilling, but it comes with a certain amount of risk. There are more chances of accidents and subsequent injuries while riding a bike than driving a car.

Thus, the importance of wearing a helmet while riding a bike lies in the fact that it’ll protect the rider from severe head injuries that might prove to be life-threatening. It will ensure that your head is free from any major impact during an unfortunate traffic incident.

Protects the eyes

Riding a bike can be tough on the eyes. The sharp wind, strong sun rays, and dust particles can lead to severe discomfort and inconvenience, which can hinder your vision resulting in untoward incidents.

Moreover, long exposure to such damaging factors can lead to major eye issues that can ultimately affect riders’ health. A helmet will protect your eyes from such damages while you ride.

Safety from cold breezes

Winter brings in an additional set of challenges for bikers. The piercing cold wind not only causes discomfort but also distracts the vision. Wearing a helmet while riding in winter can save you from the cold breeze, thereby preventing your ride from becoming uncomfortable and unmanageable.

Saves you from fine

Although this shouldn’t ideally qualify as a benefit of wearing helmets, it actually helps avoid fines. Per recent government mandates, it is necessary for riders and passengers to wear helmets.

Moreover, a petrol station can refuse to fill up your bike if you arrive without a helmet. People who flout this traffic norm end up attracting hefty fines. Among many others, the importance of a helmet also includes the benefit of avoiding traffic fines and charges.

Wearing headgear will help you save a lot, which you may otherwise lose by incurring heavy traffic fines.

Adds to your style quotient

How many times have you admired your favourite hero as he races away on a  fancy bike wearing a sleek and shiny helmet?

The importance of using a helmet is not just limited to safety and comfort. It also improves your style significantly.

You can always choose a helmet of your preference that will add up to your style and appearance.

In addition to knowing the importance of a helmet, a rider must also learn how to choose the right helmet.

The right helmet will save you from various extreme situations in the most efficient way. However, choosing the wrong one will lead to unnecessary discomfort, inconvenience, and trouble.

There are several crucial factors you must consider while purchasing a bike helmet. These include:

Know the size of your head

Every individual comes with a different body structure and head size. You need to be aware of your head size before shopping for a helmet. There are mainly three types of head structures: round oval, intermediate oval, and long oval.

While buying a helmet, try it on your head. If you find it exerting pressure at all the wrong points, it is not for you. So, it is important to test a helmet to see where exactly it is putting pressure.

A perfectly sized helmet will fit your head just like a crown and prevent any discomfort.

Visor

The significant importance of a helmet is that it protects your eyes while helping you have a clear vision of the road. As a rider, you must be extra cautious when choosing the visor on a helmet.

A visor should be clear to enable better vision.

You might feel drawn towards smoked or tinted visors as they seem attractive and stylish. However, such visors often tend to create unnecessary hindrances in vision. Riders can also consider anti-fog and anti-scratch visors that might help in better vision.

ISI mark

An ISI (Indian Standard Institute) mark is the highest level of certification that guarantees the standard of a product. You need to look for a helmet with an ISI mark to make sure the product complies to set standards.

Helmets with such marks might be pricey, but they will provide an optimal level of protection.

Cushioning

The primary importance of a helmet is in its ability to protect your skull from injuries during a crash or any other serious mishap. It is the inner cushioning that’s vital for providing the necessary protection.

While buying a helmet, ensure there is proper cushioning available to absorb the impact of a fatal crash. A helmet with a flat inner surface will be useless in protecting your head from damage.

Types of helmet

One can find various categories of helmets designed for different purposes. You will find a full-face, half-face, modular, smart helmet, and more.

Smart helmets have become quite popular lately. A smart helmet comes with exciting features like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, voice assistance, intercom, and emergency buttons, among others.

The importance of a smart helmet has increased in recent times due to the availability of these smart features that provide added protection, safety, and comfort.

To conclude, every rider must understand the importance of bike helmets to enjoy a safe and hassle-free riding experience. Moreover, it is also our responsibility to help the young generation realise the importance of helmets on motorcycles.