Learn the "Whats, wheres, why and hows" at the Experienced Rider Course, held monthly at Crossroads. HOG members get the class for only $75, and qualify for an additional $50 rebate from HOG upon completion, and discounts from most insurance companies (the class pays for itself!) If you’re not licensed, or have never had the benefit of training, the New Rider Course meets every weekend and at least three times monthly during the week. HOG member discounts and rebates, and family and group savings, apply. Call 281-897-7121 for schedules and particulars.

■ Assists the sponsoring dealer and chapter director in upholding the “Annual Charter for H.O.G. Chapters”

■ Provides Motorcycle Safety Foundation information to members

■ Educates members about the Safe Rider Skills program

■ Assists the Road Captain in planning routes for chapter rides

■ Assists the Road Captain in educating members about group riding techniques

■ Assists the Road Captain in informing chapter members of any hand signals used by the chapter

■ Assists in the collection of signed release forms

■ Assists in completion of injury reports when accidents occur

Safety
Helmets

by
George Davenport—Safety Officer

 This month's safety theme involves helmets, which is one of the more controversial and important safety topics.  Many fatalities and serious injuries are caused by head injuries, and your helmet is the only thing between your head and the road in an accident.  Think about it!

Head Injuries

As shown in the following figures, 64% of head injuries occur on the face—chin, eyes, and forehead.  Three-quarter and full-face helmets provide 50% and 150% more protection, respectively, than half-helmets.

 Source: Hannover Medical University, Dept. of Traffic Accident Research, Germany

DOT vs. Snell Certification

DOT is a minimum government standard, whereas Snell is a private foundation, meeting or exceeding DOT in all regards.  Snell also ensures manufacturer compliance and quality by continuously, randomly testing helmets.  However, injury statistics appear to show that DOT and Snell certifications both provide approximately the same levels of protection, for a given type of helmet.  Helmets are designed to withstand one crash only, and should be replaced after a crash, drop on the pavement, or about every five years.  Buy a DOT and/or Snell certified helmet that fits properly and you can't go wrong.

Common Myths

I'll try to dispel a few of the many myths running around about helmets by summarizing the benefits of helmets.  Contrary to what you may have heard, riders wearing helmets are less likely to sustain serious neck injuries than riders without helmets.  Helmets can provide protection at speeds over 20 mph.  Many injuries occur as a result of the vertical component of the fall from the seat to the ground, about five feet, which is the same regardless of speed.  Helmets also provide added protection against the horizontal component of hitting some object.  Full-face helmets do restrict vision, but not by very much.  DOT requires a 210 degree field of view, which is about 3 degrees less that that of the average person's field of view.  Glasses are actually more restrictive.  Contrary to popular belief, helmet laws do appear to reduce fatalities per mile ridden.  The Styrofoam insulation and venting in helmets actually keep your head cooler than riding bare-headed.  If it's too hot for a helmet, it may be too hot to ride.  Finally, helmeted riders are less likely to be in accidents than riders without helmets, particularly those wearing white or brightly colored helmets.

—Ride safer, ride longer—