Motorcyclists: before you take off, put on your helmet

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WASHINGTON, D.C., May 29, 2009 – It's as simple as putting on your seatbelt or locking the car doors, yet not all motorcyclists consistently wear their helmets while riding.  According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, as of March 2009 only 20 states and the District of Columbia have laws requiring all motorcyclists to wear helmets. In honor of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, GEICO reminds motorcyclists to put on the most important piece of equipment: your helmet!

In 2007 motorcycle helmets saved 1,784 lives, according to the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets, 800 more lives would have been saved. Helmets are estimated to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries and 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries.

While safety is the foremost reason for helmet usage, helmet use laws may also lead to a decline in motorcycle thefts. Because most potential thieves do not have helmets, they are more likely to attract the attention of police when they try to get away with a stolen bike. In addition to safety and theft prevention, helmets can help reduce wind noise and windblast.

Helmets come in a variety of styles and options, so when purchasing a helmet it is important to do your research first. The safest helmets have a Department of Transportation (DOT) safety sticker and/or a SNELL sticker. The Snell Memorial Foundation is an organization dedicated to helmet safety research, testing and education since 1957.

For more information on motorcycle safety, please visit GEICO's motorcycle information page.

GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and is the third-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States.* GEICO handles auto insurance coverage for 11 million private passenger auto policies and insures more than 17.5 million vehicles.

In addition to auto insurance, GEICO offers customers insurance products for their motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), travel trailers and motor homes (RVs). Coverage for life, boats, homes and apartments is available through the GEICO Insurance Agency. Commercial auto insurance and personal umbrella protection are also available.

As a member of the Berkshire Hathaway group of companies, GEICO is rated A++ for financial strength by A.M. Best Company and ranks at the top of several national customer satisfaction surveys. For more information, go to http://www.geico.com.

*A.M. Best

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