Do you have to ride a helmet when you ride a motorcycle in Florida? It depends. According to ClickOrlando.com, the law requires you to wear a helmet if you are under 21, but if you are 21 or older, the choice is up to you.
Even if you do not have to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle, it is still a good idea. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that wearing a helmet while motorcycling reduces your risks of head injury and death by 69% and 37%, respectively. Here are some tips for choosing a helmet that is comfortable and affords you sufficient protection.
Safety ratings
The federal government imposes safety standards for motorcycle helmets. A helmet that bears an official Department of Transportation symbol on the back complies with those standards. However, be sure it is authentic because some retailers have a history of selling helmets bearing fake DOT labels that do not meet safety standards.
Size
A well-fitting helmet should remain in place when you shake your head and provide even pressure all around it. To ensure that you get the correct size, you should use cloth tape and wrap it around the thickest point of your head, starting just above the eyebrows. Find this value on a helmet size chart to determine how large a helmet you need.
Shape
The shape of your head can range from a round oval to a long oval. You can determine the shape of your head by having a friend look down on it from above or by using a mirror.
Wearing a helmet helps reduce your risk of death or head injury if you get into a motorcycle accident. However, you could still sustain serious injuries in other areas of the body.
