Road rash

Road rash is the abrasion injury caused when skin slides across the road surface after a crash. It ranges from a light graze to deep wounds that need surgery and skin grafts, and wounds often contain dirt and grit that must be cleaned out.

Even at moderate speeds, ordinary jeans or a T-shirt wear through in a fraction of a second. Motorcycle clothing tested to EN 17092, leather or high-strength textiles, plus gloves and boots, protect the skin far better.

Treat road rash seriously: clean the wound thoroughly, keep it covered and moist, and seek medical help for large, deep or contaminated wounds or signs of infection.