In a recent article in this newspaper, I wrote about how speed has a significant effect on our road statistics; small increases in average speed result in disproportionately large increases in the number of fatalities and the severity of injuries. This simply represents the physics of moving bodies at work. Although this phenomenon is not unique to Bermuda, it is, unfortunately, amplified by the fact that our roads are narrow, winding and undivided and that a large proportion of our road users ride motorbikes.

Speed, of course, is only one of the many factors contributing to our present road safety woes. Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is probably the most important and has been addressed in recent media campaigns by both the Bermuda Road Safety Council and CADA. Other factors include lack of high quality driver and rider instruction and insufficient road policing. The recently passed Auxiliary Bicycles Amendment Act is a step in the right direction.

Today, however, I would like to concentrate on an oft forgotten contributor to our road fatalities and serious injuries and that is the incorrect use of motorcycle helmets.

The motorcycle helmet is the single most important protective device in Bermuda. Its use was made mandatory in 1976 after 26 individuals lost their lives in 1975, mostly from massive head injuries. The effect of this new law was immediate; yearly fatality rates fell to an average of less than ten per year and remained thus over the next 20 years.

It was not until 1996 when the BPS motorcycle unit was essentially disbanded that fatality rates started to rise again. Since then, we have seen an upward trend in road fatalities equivalent to an 85 percent increase from 1997 to 2008. The steady increase in average speed and a high prevalence of riders under the influence are no doubt two major contributing factors. Closer review, however, shows that in the last ten to 15 years, we have seen more and more fatal head injuries similar to those seen in the pre-helmet era. An alarming fact is that the vast majority of our recent road fatalities received fatal head injuries that could only have been sustained in a bareheaded crash, i.e. without a helmet. At first glance, this is difficult to reconcile with the observation that everyone rides with a helmet on in Bermuda. Furthermore, the quality of helmets worn in Bermuda is generally acceptable (more about this later). So what's going on?

What's going on, it seems, is that although essentially 100 percent of motorbike riders wear a helmet, a significant percentage ride with the helmet strap unfastened or improperly fastened. If you don't believe me, just have a look around and do a quick survey of your family, friends and co-workers and you will soon see that about one third of them ride with their helmet strap unfastened or more commonly with it loose enough to enable them to put on and take off the helmet without undoing the strap. So, "What's the big deal?" you might be thinking. "They're in compliance with the law, aren't they?" Answer: It is a big deal and they are not in compliance with the law. Let me explain.

Our helmet law requires that every rider wear an approved helmet. For a helmet to be approved, it must comply with one of four internationally recognised standards. These standards are listed farther down in this article.

The law also requires that the helmet be properly fastened. A helmet is properly fastened if the strap is snug enough so that it cannot be pulled forward over the chin. The big deal here is that if you wear a helmet unfastened or improperly fastened, you might as well not be wearing one at all.

The reality is that for most riders, most of the time, a motorcycle helmet serves the same purpose as a baseball cap; it keeps the sun off your head. However, for the unlucky ones who are involved in a crash, the helmet's true purpose comes into play if only for just a tiny fraction of a second. In that tiny fraction of a second, the moment your head impacts the utility-pole, curb or windscreen, the polycarbonate shell must resist penetration and the polystyrene foam liner must absorb energy sufficiently to protect your very delicate brain. To do this, the helmet must be on your head. If you ride with your helmet strap unfastened or improperly fastened, you will likely not have a helmet on your head and this is due to something we call "double impact".

When you are involved in a motorbike crash, the first thing that happens, the "first impact", is a very rapid deceleration at the moment of contact. This deceleration is sufficiently great to cause any object not securely tethered to your body to fly off. This is when your head flicks forward and your helmet comes off. You then find yourself flying through the air un-helmeted and heading straight for the "second impact".

I'll spare you the graphic details. The bottom line is that unless your helmet is properly fastened, you're effectively riding without a helmet and that, I'm sure you'll agree, is a risk not worth taking.

Help me out here: How hard is it for someone to switch from improper helmet fastening to proper helmet fastening? Once you understand the risks involved, it does not require a major lifestyle modification to make the change; just tug on the strap and it's done. This simple act may save your life in a crash. Furthermore, as mentioned above, you are not in compliance with the law if your helmet strap is improperly fastened and the offence carries a $50 fine. Consistent enforcement of this law alone would likely result in a significant decrease in serious and fatal head injuries. Alas, I have it from the highest levels of the BPS that targeting helmet-fastening offences would be seen as a "nuisance" and "harassment". This, in my view, is not only narrow-minded but represents a missed opportunity to make a significant contribution to the health and welfare of our community.

Finally, a word on helmet quality. First your helmet must comply with the Helmet Standards Law and to do so, it must bear one of the 4 certification stickers listed here:

DOT (FMVSS 218)

British Standard (BS 6658:1985)

Snell (M 2005 soon to be replaced by M 2010)

European Standard (ECE 22.05)

Second, your helmet must fit your head properly (see website below). Finally, your helmet must be in good condition. Most manufacturers recommend that your keep your helmet for no more than two to four years. Remember that although it may not be visible to the naked eye, your helmet begins to deteriorate from the moment you take it out of the box.

While sunlight causes gradual breakdown of the polycarbonate shell, microscopic cracks incurred from daily use gradually join up to form significant weaknesses. The oils from your scalp permeate the polystyrene liner and reduce its energy absorbing properties. Remember that if your helmet is damaged in any way, it should be destroyed as there is no guarantee that it will protect you adequately in a crash.

For more detailed information on helmets, go to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation website at http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/helmet_CSI.pdf

Dr. Froncioni is the founder of BermudaSMART-RISK and is a former chairman of the Road Safety Council