Earlier this week, the Item reported a two-vehicle accident in Picayune that claimed the life of a motorcycle driver who wasn’t wearing a helmet.

While there’s no way of knowing if a helmet could’ve saved his life, it might have increased his chances.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, a motorcyclist is 16 times more likely to die in a crash than an automobile driver; wearing a helmet decreases that risk by 29 percent.

While wearing a helmet might not look cool, it’s a necessary safety precaution because no one can predict what could happen on the roadway.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the state of Mississippi requires all motorcyclists to wear a helmet. Currently, 19 states have the same law in place.

While some may argue the law is an infringement on their basic human rights, it has been proven over time that wearing a helmet can be the difference between life and death.

This notion doesn’t just apply to motorcycles. The same can be said about people skiing down the French Alps, bicycling across a street or attempting a dangerous trick on their skateboard– plain and simple, helmets are necessary in many outdoor activities.

The head is the most important part of the human body so measures should be taken to ensure it’s protected.

After all, life can change in the blink of an eye and it’s important to be prepared for anything.

While wearing a helmet doesn’t necessarily guarantee a person’s safety, it could make what would’ve been a large accident smaller.

Before getting on a motorcycle or catching air on a skateboard, practice safety first.