autoevolution
 

Helmets Saved Nearly 300 Californian Riders in 2008

Just as expected, wearing the proper riding gear could make the difference in event of a crash. That is what state officials also found out after reporting on the number of Californians riders that survived through wearing or using the right safety equipment has reached nearly 300.

Moreover, about 1,920 people in California are aware that they are alive today because they used seatbelts, child safety seats, motorcycle helmets, or had cars equipped with air bags in 2008.

"Nearly two thousand people, in just the last year alone, have lives and futures today because they took the small amount time and effort to buckle up or use a helmet,"
said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety. "It is staggering when you contemplate the tragedies that have been averted that would have otherwise affected tens of thousands of their families and friends," he added.

According to the estimates from the NHTSA via clutchandchrome,com, the 1,920 lives saved in 2008 consists of:

  • 33 children age 4 and under saved by being properly restrained in a child safety seat
  • 1,424 adults and children age 5 and older saved by using seat belts
  • 173 front seat occupants saved by the deployment of frontal air bags
  • 291 motorcycle riders and passengers saved by wearing a proper helmet

However, an estimated 161 additional car occupants would have survived crashes if they had been wearing seat belts and another 26 motorcycle riders would be alive if they had been wearing helmets. Nevertheless, California has announced that the overall traffic fatalities dropped 14 percent in 2008 alone, and 19 percent over the last two years.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories