Thousands of people suffer very serious injuries in motorcycle accidents. To make matters worse, there are many instances when someone is killed in these types of wrecks. For example, in 2009, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reported that 4,762 people died in motorcycle crashes.

That’s not all. Motor bike riders are roughly 37 times more likely than car drivers to die in a crash and nine times more likely to suffer an injury, according to the GHSA.

What can be done to reduce these troubling statistics? Well, some common sense safety measures can be taken. For example, every motorcyclist should wear a helmet. Why? Because helmets play a vital role in preventing serious injuries or death in a crash. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,829 motorcyclists in 2008 and if all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 823 lives could have been saved.

I understand the temptation to take your motor bike out on Interstate 15 (I-15), I-215, or maybe even the Vegas strip for a ride without a helmet; the wind whipping through your hair and the sun shining on your face, but this is extremely dangerous. As mentioned earlier in the post, you’re nine times more likely to get hurt on a motorcycle in an accident. Don’t take that risk.

Watching your speed is another important safety tip. Many motor bike riders throw caution to the wind and decide to speed. This is a pathway to disaster. If you wind up getting hit by a car or truck, you’ll suffer the full brunt of the accident and may suffer a traumatic brain injury, damaged spinal cord, or even lose your life. Again, it’s just not worth it.