Motorcycle Deaths Rise as Helmet Laws Slacken
Death rates for motorcyclists have been rising since repeals of helmet laws began in 1995, according to USA Today. DOT statistics reflect that 5.6 motorcyclists per 10,000 registered motorcycles were killed in 1996, and the number jumped to 7.3 in 2006. The number of motorcyclists who wear helmets has dropped from 63% in 1994 to 51% in 2006.
There are numerous variables that affect statistics, including the rising age of motorcycle accident victims. But the correlation between helmet use and protection from head injury has been rehashed everywhere from the famous Hurt Report to this October, 2007 NHTSA report. One particularly compelling case study is Florida, where motorcycle deaths rose significantly after helmet laws were repealed.
The USA Today story is well balanced, with opinions represented by both sides: ABATE spokespeople who are vehemently anti-helmet, and Transportation Secretary Mary Peters who credits a helmet and safety gear for saving her life after an accident on her Harley.
Wearing a helmet is certainly your choice as the law permits, but which do you choose given the potential repercussions?
Photo © Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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Comments
According to the HURT study, 3/4 of all motorcycle accidents involve another vehicle. Of those, 2/3 are the fault of the other vehicle. I’ll do the math for you: 50% of all motorcycle accidents are caused by “the other driver.”
What is never mentioned in news stories and reports is: all motorcycles can have modulating headlights during the day, which increases visibility! Helmets can not prevent accidents. Modulators can! Imagine if we could reduce the number of motorcycle accidents by 50%?
Helmet: $50 to $700.
Modulator: $80 to $150.
Using a modulator: Priceless!
Reference: Federal Law CFR 49, Part 517, Section 108, S7.9.4. And States CANNOT override Federal Laws, ref: Title 49, United States Code, Chapter 301.
Helmets can not prevent an accident, true. But a flashing light does not save your head from being cracked on the sidewalk if you DO have a crash - for any reason.
If you really think the answer to motorcycle safety is a flashing headlight, you’re a moron. But then again, that’s true of anyone who doesn’t wear a helmet.
The answer is that BOTH help.
I had a great gizmo a few years ago that ran the rear turn signals at about 7 ~ 8 volts as running lights…it increased visibility from the rear, especially at night, by a huge amount. I’d been rear ended twice…once in a car and once on a bike. The one on the bike was substantially less fun. I’m sure gadgets like that and the HL modulator help, but I still firmly believe there is only one absolute be-all, end-all factor in staying out of trouble on a bike. You ride like every one in a car is blind, and possessing an IQ 3 points below a Tomato, and you’ll be fine.
This month is 39 years for me riding full time and other than a few scratches and bruises…almost all of them my fault, I’ve stayed unscathed.
Lucky? Yes…
Street smarts? I’d like to think so.
I ride and drive assumming that everyone is an idiot. I wear a helmet when riding, motorcycle and bicycle, and although it’s been a couple of years since I skied, I will be wearing a helmet next time I head down a double black diamond.
I remember the instructor at my safety course pointing out that the medical community has pretty much figured out how to fix everything except our brains.
Funny thing about the October, 2007 NHTSA report is all these rider’s are dead, so you had on a helment and only received one head injury vs two, your still dead. If you sport a helment, and have a left-hand turner take you out, chances are the helment is going to break your freaking neck, according to this report.
Before my accident, when ever I was able to, I would ride without a helmet. My wife would nag me and say “That’s not safe!” I would roll my eyes and say “Yes Dear”. Well, on Sept. 27th 2007, a pick up truck ran a red light, cut me off, and I t-boned him doing 50 mph! Thank God I was wearing my helmet. I had a compound fracture on my left forearm.Which now had 2 steel plates and 20 screws. I broke my right hand in three places requiring a pin. Broke 2 ribs, chipped the bone between my right knee and my ankle, and tore the ligaments on the right side of my knee. I just bought a new Harley Davidson 2 weeks ago. Took it out for a short ride and loved it!! But you can bet your bottom dollar, I don’t roll my eyes anymore when my wife reminds me to wear my helmet!!
Such articles use poor statistics. They failed miserably in demonstrating any thread of causality between helmet use and fatalites - in fact, only 425 of the fatalities cited were helmetless riders. I’m tired of this BS being foisted on the uneducated public in everything from this debate to the political races. Statisticians should not work for journalists…
(425 was supposed to be 42%. Dagnabbit shift key!)
Just because Mary Peters can’t control her own motorcycle,(one vehicle accident), she thinks all of us should wear helmets because we are as incompetent as she is? Gimme a break!
Jeff, you’re wrong on the study. It doesn’t mean the helmet breaks your neck. It means that when one injury kills you, it’s almost twice as likely that it will be a head injury if you aren’t wearing a helmet than if you are. Maybe they would have walked away if they had been wearing one and maybe not. But even if you add the helmeted riders who died with head injuries and those who supposedly ‘had their freaking necks broken by the helmet,’ it’s still less than the ones who got their skulls busted in without protection. The two-injury statistics lead to a similar conclusion.
Ride how you want to ride (I’m ATGATT), but get the risks straight.
When I was young I loved the wind through my hair and the freedom that no helmet gave. I was lucky that I didn’t crash. Now I’m older, smarter and wiser, it is logical to wear good head protection. Our brain is who we are, and if it gets damaged, there are no casts, pins or plates that will fix this unforgiving part of us. If we don’t care about ourselves, is it right to leave our parents, spouses, or children with this drooling, pooing veggie to care for and mourn over. I still would love to go for a ride au naturel, but I have too many loved ones to burden.
I’m still biking after being down in 1993. A car knocked me down and sent me and my bike into a white picket fence. My head hit the fence, and my head found the metal pole supporting the fence. A sizable dent is in my Shoei helmet. I still spent time in the hospital, but my head and brain were still intact. Of course helmets are not made to prevent accidents, but once the unfortunate happens, chances are you’ll be no longer with us if you don’t have one on. Every time I get on my bike, my new helmet is on my head. I’m not willing to bet that with all the crazy drivers on the road, they will all stay away from me.
I rode with and without, depending on “length” of ride. On my way to work at 7:00 am a deer leaped in front of me while I was doing about 45 mph. Killed the deer, totalled my 2 year old Harley and cracked my helmet. Concussion and alot of road rash, cuts and scrapes but I was out of the hospital the next day. 2 months later I rented a wide glide and rode to a bike week with my girl on the back. I saved my helmet as a reminder.
I’ve only been riding for 10+ months now. I’d never riden before nor owned a bike. I’m 44, have had three auto accidents in my life, none my fault. Before I ever even sat on a bike in the show room, I registered for and took the MSF Beginning Rider’s class. I have read books and magazines about riding, surfed the web and read more, and still keep learning things. There are so many differing opinions on all subjects. However, the one thing I know is true is that a helmet CAN save your life. Yes, I agree with some who’ve commented here, it all depends on who writes the study and what statistics are quoted as to who is right on this subject. As I ride, either on my Shadow or in my car, I always find myself looking at riders not wearing helmets and just thinking, “foolish”. All I have to do to keep me wearing a helmet is to look at my wife and think about her having to make the decision to take me off life support, because I’ve done that already at 27 with my first wife (and no, it wasn’t a motorcycle accident, but it still hurts today) Then, I look at my 13 year old daughter, and I imagine her in 5 years from now, walking across the stage to get her high school diploma and crying inside because her daddy isn’t there to see it. Sure, I might die tomorrow of a heart attack; already had one three years ago. But I take my meds each day religeously and try to take care of myself as my doctor says. So why in the world would I want to NOT wear a helmet? I can enjoy the ride and life fine with something on my head, it doesn’t take away from the ride for me. If your wife and kids living without you isn’t enough, then check out the NFL. Wait a minute! What’s that on their heads?! (and they are already on the soft ground, not traveling at 60mph over asphalt)
We can talk about the lack of respect helmetless riders have for their families and friends. Consider the overall costs to society in terms of rehabilitation and loss of quality of life they will endure for their remaining days. Consider the insurance rates rising because of their need to flaunt their hair in the wind. All cyclists, motorized and pedal powered should carry their organ donation cards in an easy to reach place. ATGATT, all the gear, all the time. Please quit blasting what little hearing I have left. I’ve done enough damage on my own and really don’t need any help losing the rest.
The no helmet bunch are usually the no brain H.D. bunch–I have friends in this brainless bunch. The saying is a cheap helmet for a cheap head.I don`t want to see my head cracked open like a watermellon. The small so-called brain buckets helmets are a big joke.
If 55% of 100% of motorcyclist in accidents not wearing helmets died, then my math skills tell me that 45% of motorcyclist that were “wearing” helmets died.
Helmet laws for experienced riders are unnecessary. I believe the numbers would be quite different if they took into account how long the accident victim has been riding. Too many novices are starting out on bikes too big and powerful for their limited riding experience. Helmet laws are no different than seatbelt laws, pure BS. I know one person who is dead because he WAS wearing his seatbelt and I know another person who is alive because he WASN’T wearing his. Riding a motorcycle carries an inherently higher risk than cars, why don’t we just outlaw bikes and save all those lives? LOL!!!
I do not care about statistics. I should be a free man to make my own decisions!!!
But again we are no-longer Free MEN!!
Lets see,41 years of street riding without an accident.Yea many close calls, but had close calls in cages too. I prefer any chance to ride without a helmet…THAT IS MY CHOICE !
Lets see, yup i’m a HD rider too, and find they seem to be the most prevelent in fighting for M/C rights, which I bet another year in Iraq for me,most of you are not (m/c rights organizations-AMA membership doesn’t count) Hey G.B. Your “no brain” comment… Next year I’ll make $180k and still ride a HD without a helmet any time I can…BY CHOICE, but I won’t try to make legislation to force you to buy a certain bike, wear orange leathers no matter how hot it is, buy a certain helmet in bright colors, etc.
FREEDOM isn’t free, but so many don’t understand what “FREEDOM” means so you put your view into it and slowly chip away at freedom with laws.You let Insurance Co’s. bully you into making laws because rates will go up. You embolden states like New Mexico to push for laws that you “must” have a donor card to ride a motorcycle. AND YOU DON”T TAKE THE TIME TO FIGHT THEM! But we “no brain HD bunch do because we have a better understanding of “FREEDOM”
Helmet laws are pushed against a minority because if they wanted to “really make a difference”, everyone in a car would wear one….but can you imagine how much outrage would happen. How about pedestrians? Go check the stats on them, because more peds are dieing than all m/c riders!!
Critics and the uninformed believe that motorcyclists; helmeted or not,
account for a super majority of health care costs from trauma rooms to
long-term care. The problem is that’s just not true. Not a lot of study
has been done on the subject, but there is more than enough research out
there to soundly and logically deflate the social burden myth. The Social
burden theory is pure bunk. Find out more by going to
http://www.mrf.org (website)
Look for article by Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Relations on April 17, 2008.
I’ve been longwinded here, so i’ll sum up (since so many want to cite helmets saving them) with some of the times i didn’t have an accident,”without a helmet” in 41 years… oops-not enough space here.. but I sure enjoyed it.
“Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it.” –Thomas Paine
four days ago i went to a funeral with my bestfriend. it was her mothers. she was riding on the back of the bike and she died of head injurys. who knows if the helmet would have saved her life, but their sure is a better chance. we have to wear seat belts in the car, but if riders shouldnt have to wear their helmets, maybe we shouldnt have to wear our seat belts.
Common sense should be the key, not the laws made to hinder our freedom. Bikers are killed because of stupid things people do on them and by those in cages that don’t respect the riders. A frien of mine was killed by a driver in a cage while sitting at a light last week (with helmet, on a HD), and 4 people dies speeding on the highway doing 120mph on crotch rockets. I rida a Honda VTX1300, and I ride like everyone is dumber than a box of rocks and that all people on 2, 4, or 18 wheels don’t have the God given smarts to pour water out of a boot with the directions on the bottom. You can ride with or without, it’s your choice. I do both depending on the states laws that I ride through. As my dear old dad keeps telling me, be careful, and when God calls your number, you will be gone. With or without a helmet.
This article appears somewhat misleading regarding the statistics presented. The title relates deaths to helmet laws but some of the statistics do not. The DOT increase from 5.6 to 7.3 relates deaths to registrations, then relates a helmet use drop that coincided long similar years. What it should have presented was the increase of head injuries to accidents. It also should have presented the ratio and any increase in accidents to registrations. Even if the latter ratio had maintained constant, the total number of accidents would have increased due to the registrations increase. The Florida case cited, stated only the absolute numbers increased and did not state the increased relative connection, if any, between the registrations increase or the accident frequency increase, as a result of the repeal, if any did occur.
In the 1980s California passed a mandatory helmet law as a result of the political influence of Dick Floyd, a politician in the local district to a certain helmet maker. He cited a study done by USC over many years, as I recall, of some two thousand urban accidents over California. Noting that no helmet laws were in effect at that time, the results were surprising. Of the total, in some 72% of the accidents, all involved walked away without injury. Some 22% were hospitalized, primarily for broken legs as a result of being broadsided by a car. Some 6% had head injuries. Only a maximum of two percent had serious to fatal head injuries. Simply put, in any accident with or without a helmet, the chances of serious head injury is about 100 to 1. Of course, Floyd misrepresented the data to the public in order to get his bill passed.
While the state eventually subsidized some accident victims, to the cost of the taxpayer of course, it was relatively minimal due to the small numbers of accident victims. Insurance companies certainly gained more from the law passing than the state lost, and we should not forget the boost in sales of that SoCal helmet company due to the sales of mandatory helmets across the state. From a relative perspective the cost of head injuries from the small percentage of riders is certainly minimal compared to today’s other ongoing costs, such as the health care costs of illegal aliens in county facilities, but que sera sera, little politically is honest or reasonable these days.
Regarding the issue at hand, it should only be addressed as personal liberty against coporate profit. Sadly enough, this is hardly ever recognized. Since the mandatory use of seatbelts, helmets, smoking, and the unlimited restriction of personal liberties in light of 9/11, only those of us who grew up with Dean and Brando knew what it was like to be free in the remnants of what once was a great country or can draw parallels from the writings of George Orwell.
Today, driving home from running errands I came upon an accident that had just happened seconds before. A truck had rear ended a motorcycle, and dragged the guy and his bike about 20 yards. I was the first person to get to the motorcyclist on the ground. He was not wearing a helmet. He had a 8-10 inch long gash in his head, filled with dirt, wood, blood and God knows what else. His scalp was peeled back off his skull. He was alive, but was a bloody mess. He had trouble breathing and had a puncture hole the size of a half dollar just below his knee where muscle and subcutanious fat was pushing out the hole. He had road rash on his thigh and all up his back. His shoes had been ripped off his feet, his bike was in pieces, everywhere and everything smelled like gasoline. Not a pretty picture is it?
I think he’ll survive, but only God knows what his internal injuries were from this wreck. (Was part of what I saw broken skull or brain matter?) I don’t know but I know that-that image will live with me for a very very long time. I don’t care if you are the best rider in the world and that you drive like everyone else is an idiot. Things like this still happen to great and aware riders. As I knelt there today on the pavement holding this man’s bloody scalp back on his head and trying to keep him still and calm until the squad got there, all I could think of was “if he had been wearing a helmet….things may have been a bit better for him.”
Please think of your family and friends when you make these decisions. They have a say too.
I’m a mom with two young boys- please ask yourself: what kind of role model do YOU want to be.
Thanks for reading.
(the other thing that amazed me was the number of people just standing around, staring at this guy on the ground- no one was helping him! (except people did call 911) I used to teach First Aid and CPR. It’s not that hard: Take a class, take a chance- get involved and you might save a life some day- and it may be someone you love.)
I do not care about statistics. I should be a free man to make my own decisions!!!
But again we are no-longer Free MEN
How stupid this statement is “When you are statistics I DON’T CARE EITHER.
I have read the arguments for and against wearing a helmet. The decision should be left to the rider. There is enough governmental interference in our lives. Have we forgotten the 9th Amendment?
People who ride bikes should have a choice on what kind of helmets they want not if they want to wear them or not. People always find a way to have some kind of problem with laws, saying they are taking away their rights. What kind of rights do you have when you are brain dead?? You dont get to make any of your own choices anymore. Someone else makes up your mind for you all the time. All of you people who stick out your chest and pound it and scream I am a man, are just dumb. As a man you should realize what you leave behind when you die on a bike and try and make it as safe as possible. I have been riding for 3 years and have yet to lay down my bike, but have had many close calls. I know i will have my helmet on if i wreck and hopefully that will keep me safe.
the problem with this argument is that there’s no way to win it. laws are written and enforced by “the man”. this is a fact to be remembered every time one considers pushing for certain legislation. it’s not that “the man” is evil, or is fighting to take away your freedom (maybe sometimes, but not as often as is assumed), it’s just that when legislation passes, it will be enforced to the full extent of the law, whatever that may mean for the individual. do we really need “the man” to force us to wear helmets? are we really so immature as to require a distant parent-like figure to scold us into assuming responsibility? we are adults and should be able to think for ourselves. if we choose to not wear helmets, so be it. it’s on our heads (literally). i am not condoning helmetless riding by any means, but i am condemning the lack of responsibility, which society in general tends to constantly display. asking for helmets laws is a more blatant sign of this lack of responsibility than not wearing a helmet could ever be. people who choose to not wear a helmet are irresponsible in relation to their own lives and the lives of their significant others, whereas people pushing for helmet laws are irresponsible in relation to the wishes and freedoms of every member of society.