Whether or not you agree with state helmet laws, mounting evidence shows that such statutes save lives.
Well, sort of.
According to a recent article published in the New York Times, there is a correlation between the recent repeal of helmet laws in many states with a spike in motorcycle deaths.
“More states are being pressured to repeal their universal motorcycle helmet laws. But when those laws are changed, the number of fatalities starts to rise immediately,” the article claims.
Statistics, however, are subject to interpretation and the Daily Kos was quick to point out other factors that may have skewed the article’s many charts, including expectation bias.
“Of course there is a big jump in non-helmet fatalities right after the helmet law is repealed, because of all the riders who wore a helmet only to avoid a ticket. For subsequent years, there is no way to tell if the growth is because helmets are lifesavers (although that’s what transportation officials believe), or because more and more riders choose to forego them,” Andrew Lazaru writes. “Motorcycle deaths have become a much larger percentage of vehicle fatalities since the partial repeal of helmet laws. However… this is a function of fewer automobile fatalities.”
He’s right. According to preliminary 2012 data provided by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), in the 14 years from 1997 to 2011, motorcyclist fatalities more than doubled, from 2,116 to 4,612, while total traffic fatalities dropped by 23%, from 42,013 to 32,367.
There has also been a surge in the number of motorcyclists on the road in recent years. However, according to the Times article, there were not enough new registrations to account for the increase in motorcycle deaths.
As any experienced motorcyclist will tell you, training is imperative to safe riding. Unfortunately, some riders choose to operate motorcycles illegally, without completing the required training. The GHSA reports that 22 percent of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes did not have a valid motorcycle License in 2010.
While experts dither over statistical analyses, one thing remains clear: Helmets can save lives. In fact, most motorcycle groups advocate for helmet use, but staunchly believe it should be up to the individual whether to wear one—not state legislators.
What do you think about mandatory helmet laws? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Sources:
“Fewer Helmets, More Deaths” by Alastair Dant and Hannah Fairfield, The New York Times, March 31, 2014.
“Study: Helmet Law Weakened, Motorcycle Injuries Up.” CBS New York, June 6, 2013
“Motorcyclist Traffic Fatalities by State: 2012 Preliminary Data.” Prepared for Governors Highway Safety Association by Dr. James Hedlund.
15 comments on “Do Mandatory Helmet Laws Save Lives?”
I don’t care what the law is, I would never ride without a helmet on. I also always wear boots, gloves and a jacket.
All the Gear, All the time
I agree with ArtGamble711 – ATGATT – I leave it up to other adults on whether they make the choice to wear helmet/armor/boots/gloves on bikes – it does seem very simple to me. Personal responsibility requires me to protect myself on the road as I have zero control/limited influence on any other motorist. I refuse to try and make someone else responsible for my safety (i.e. LPSL) – a huge chunk of motorbike wrecks are single vehicle accidents.
Regan,
You bring up an important point. In the U.S., about 43% of motorcyclist deaths are the result of single-vehicle crashes—a number that has gone largely unchanged since the 1980s.
Of those who died in single-vehicle crashes, nearly half had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above 0.08 percent.
If you’re a data nerd like me and enjoy charts, graphs and statistics, there’s a great report at: http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/motorcycles/fatalityfacts/motorcycles.
I wear a helmet 90% of the time. I believe each person should have the right NOT to wear a helmet. New riders (under 5yrs) should have to wear helmets, same as anyone under 21. I do think it is irresponsible to see someone riding on the expressway at 65mph in flipflops, shorts and thats it. AHHH I guess its their right to be stupid. Again my choice not the government!
We should wear helmets, but laws requiring that we wear them set a dangerous legal precedent.
Okay, I’ll play the devil’s advocate… How are helmet laws any different from seat belt laws?
I do believe they may save lives. I had a wreck a number of years ago and if I would have had a helmet on I would have broken my neck. I was thrown over my handle bars and when I came down I landed on the side of my face in a muddy field and slid about three feet. My helmet would have dug into the mud and twisted my head back. The people that seen the wreck told me I was lucky I wasn’t wearing a helmet. So yes in some cases they may save you.
MotorEagles, great link and I am a ‘data nerd’ (and other types of nerd too.) I also play devil’s advocate regarding seat belt / air bag lawful requirements on other motor vehicles being in the same realm as helmet/armor laws on motorbikes. To be fair tho, one of the main reasons I have an indifference to these laws being passed is that I am an ATGATT rider. I do support and belong to the AMA. (they do what they can to represent all motorcyclists interests). Even now the CDC has gotten involved with motorcycle statistics, mostly because of the health care costs involved I believe (my opinion only). One thing is for sure, riders can be a passionate bunch about our beliefs…
Those unfortunate folks who have suffered through accidents that resulted in head trauma of some consequence all seem to become big advocates of helmet use after the fact. Coincidence?
I have been riding for almost 25 years. Started on 2 wheels and now I ride a trike. I wear a lid every time I ride. While I believe that helmets give you a greater chance of surviving an accident, I have to (Sort of) agree with James Work. For the first 3-5 years, make it mandatory. After that it’s your choice. the only problem with that is you would have to have a different color license plate for beginners. Otherwise the law would be pretty much unenforceable unless they pulled everybody ove to check.
different color plates hmmmmm different color backgrounds on under 21 driver license ok…..i have over 30 yrs on a bike have had a few minor incidents but i would still go without a helmet on short distances or around town,,,,not on the interstate but then that would be my choice……i agree with the under 21 and at least 3 yrs beginner ….dont get stopped riging a friends bike if the plates different….lol
I happen to do the same as ArtGamble711 and Regan in wearing all the gear all the time. However, it did take me time to implement that. Time being the learning of the facts from such statistics as well as personal eyewitnessing of others falling without the proper gear, including helmets.
Some other facts that I have learned being a certified MSF RiderCoach is that the DOT only tests helmets at 30 MPH to pass their safety standards and when one size and model passes, all sizes for that model passes. As for the SNELL testing, they do it at 45 MPH and ONLY that model and size that passes gets the seal of approval. All other sizes of that model must still go through the same test to pass. Also, SNELL will visit different motorcycle shops and stores and buy one off the shelf helmets with their label and retest to verify that the helmet still meets their requirements.
Although I believe helmets can and do save lives, there are always rare occurrences where it might not make a difference either way. The MSF course handbook states that helmets prevent approximately 70% of head injuries so, what percentage of head injuries are prevented with those not wearing a helmet? Obviously, the choice should be left up to the rider and co-rider.
The only thing I would like to see is that all motorcyclists were educated on the information presented, including the statistics, so that they can make a well informed decision of whether to wear or not to wear a helmet. Once decided, they and their family should be required to sign a release form stating that they chose to do so, that in the event of a fatality caused by not wearing a helmet, they are not allowed to sue the state or city or whomever for their decision if they should become a vegetative state.
Lastly, I am writing as a motorcycle enthusiast and am representing my own views and not that of the MSF (only sharing statistics from the course manual). I want everyone to enjoy the sport I love and to do so of their own free will and safely as possible.
Yes a helmet saved my life when I went down after hitting pea gravel over knoll. The sign that said stop ahead was knocked down by a County Worker in Guernsey County, Ohio when he was mowing and he wouldn’t get off the tractor to put it back up. Soon as we crested the hill there was know where to go. I landed on my right side with my helmet hitting the pavement breaking my glasses and some road rash.
Scott,
Thank you for sharing those great facts on helmet safety standards! At MotorEagles, we strive to provide our readers with the most current information so they can make educated decisions.
THERE ARE CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE WEARING A HELMET IS A GOOD THING & THERE’S TIMES WHEN IT MAY HAVE BEEN A BAD THING. WHO KNOWS HOW A WRECK WILL TURN OUT ? NOT GOOD FOR THE RIDER EITHER WAY IS ABOUT THE ONLY ACCURATE GUESS THAT CAN BE MADE. BUT, I’M COMPLETELY AGAINST MANDATORY HELMET LAWS, PERIOD. DO WE REALLY NEED THE GOVERNMENT TELLING US WHAT TO DO EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY ? I DON’T THINK SO. BUT, IF IT’S YOUR CHOICE TO WEAR A HELMET OR NOT & YOU CHOOSE TO, GOD BLESS YOU. IT WAS A CHOICE YOU MADE FOR YOURSELF WITHOUT THE GOVERNMENT HOLDING YOUR HAND & THE SAME GOES IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO WEAR ONE. IT SHOULD BE UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL, NOT SOME BUREAUCRAT OR INSURANCE SALESMAN……………………