Motorcycle Helmet Use Laws [2007]

NHTSA · 2007 · ROSA P / United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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Summary

This 2007 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) addresses the efficacy of motorcycle helmet use laws in reducing fatalities, injuries, and economic costs. Motivated by high mortality rates—4,553 deaths and approximately 87,000 injuries in 2005—and the fact that motorcyclists are 34 times more likely to die per mile traveled than passenger car occupants, the document advocates for universal helmet laws. NHTSA identifies head injury as a leading cause of death and asserts that helmets meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 provide the best protection. The report synthesizes data from various sources, including the Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES), the National Occupant Protection Use Survey, and state-specific analyses. It examines the impact of legislative changes, particularly the repeal or weakening of universal helmet laws in states such as Florida, Arkansas, Texas, Kentucky, and Louisiana. The analysis compares crash outcomes, hospital admission rates, and economic costs before and after these legal changes, alongside national statistics on helmet effectiveness and public support. Findings indicate that motorcycle helmets reduce the likelihood of crash fatality by 37 percent and are 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries. Unhelmeted riders are 40 percent more likely to suffer fatal head injuries and three times more likely to suffer brain injuries than helmeted riders. The repeal of universal laws correlated with significant negative outcomes; for instance, Florida saw a 24 percent increase in deaths and a 40 percent rise in hospital admissions following its 2002 repeal. Similarly, Arkansas and Texas experienced fatality increases of 21 percent and 31 percent, respectively, after repealing their laws. Helmet use rates dropped from 71 percent to 48 percent nationally between 2000 and 2005. Economically, helmet use saved $1.3 billion in 2002 alone, with total savings estimated at $19.5 billion from 1984 through 2002. Unhelmeted riders incurred significantly higher hospital costs, often exceeding insurance coverage limits, shifting financial burdens to public sources. The report concludes that universal helmet laws are the most effective method for increasing helmet use and reducing societal costs. It highlights that public support for such laws remains strong at 81 percent. NHTSA encourages all states to enforce laws requiring all operators and passengers to wear helmets, noting that partial laws are difficult to enforce and result in lower compliance and higher injury rates. The document underscores that helmet laws save lives, reduce severe injuries, and alleviate economic burdens on healthcare systems and society.

Key finding

Repeal of universal motorcycle helmet laws resulted in decreased helmet use, increased motorcyclist fatalities, and significantly higher medical costs in states such as Florida, Kentucky, and Louisiana.

Methodology

review

Provenance

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Topics

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• helmet protective