Michigan Motorcyclists: Airbag Jeans Could Save Your Life

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Michigan Motorcyclists safety

Entrepreneurs in Europe have designed blue jeans that are fitted with airbags inside the legs to give motorcyclists and their riders extra protection in the event of a crash, CNN reports. Similar products are in the pipeline for safety vests.

Though airbag jeans may sound strange at first, it’s no surprise that designers are looking for additional ways to keep motorcyclists safe. Riders are 28 times as likely as car drivers and passengers to die in a crash. It’s simply impossible for motorcycles to provide the same protection to bikers as cars do for motorists.

To address this disparity, at least two businesses are seeking approval to sell airbag jeans that inflate when a crash occurs. The goal is to provide protection for the lower legs, which are the most likely part of the body to be injured in motorcycle collisions.

Motorcycle Safety Gear

Improvements to motorcycle safety gear are an ongoing focus for those in the industry. Some gear, like the jeans, are equipped with sensors that detect the rider’s imbalance and trigger the airbags to inflate when a fall is about to happen.

A similar product is a vest outfitted with airbags. They start to inflate just before a crash, measuring the rider’s position at 1,000 times a second. This provides protection for the rider’s chest, abdomen, neck and spine, which are other vulnerable areas in a wreck.

Ideally, the companies want to make their products available to the general public by 2022.

How to Stay Safe on a Motorcycle

Fatalities among motorcyclists and their passengers doubled over a recent 20-year period, giving rise to greater efforts to educate the motoring public. Quite often this is because motorcycles are smaller than most other vehicles and can be obscured by blind spots.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, when motorcycles and other vehicles collide, it’s usually the non-motorcyclist who enters the motorcyclist’s right of way.

The National Safety Council offers these tips for safely riding a motorcycle:

  • Invest in a new (not used) full-coverage helmet.
  • Choose a bike with antilock brakes.
  • Take a motorcycle safety course.
  • Know the rules of the road.
  • Carrying a passenger requires much more skill. Adjust accordingly.
  • Never drink and drive.
  • Be aware of uneven pavement.
  • Maintain a position that makes you highly visible to others on the road.
  • Always use headlights, even during the daytime.
  • Don’t speed.
  • Wear bright and/or reflective clothing and boots that cover the ankles.
  • Wear goggles and a ventilated face shield.

Is Christensen Law Right for Me?

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else, your life and financial health may be hanging in the balance. Reach out to Christensen Law today. Our Detroit motorcycle accident attorneys know what it takes to recover the damages you are due, and we’ll fight aggressively on your behalf so that you aren’t under-compensated.

Contact us right away to give your case the best chance of success. The first consultation is free.