How Helmet Laws Affect Motorcycle Fatality Rates

Winter finally seems to have loosened its grip on the nation. Spring is in full swing, and summer is fast approaching. That means millions of people are going to be bringing their motorcycles out of storage and taking every possible opportunity to ride. Whether they’re giving their four-wheeled vehicles a little break and using their bikes for commuting, taking cross-country road trips, or something in between, more of them are going to be on the roads in the coming months.

Unfortunately, having more bikes on the roads also means there are going to be more accidents involving them. In fact, an estimated two-thirds of annual motorcycle crashes happen between May and September. As such, more people are going to be needing legal help after a motorcycle wreck in the months to come.

Taking a Closer Look at Helmet Laws

Each state has its own laws regarding helmet use for bikers and their passengers. In New Mexico, everyone under the age of 18 is legally required to wear a helmet when riding. Adults aren’t required to wear helmets, though. South Carolina, Florida, Kentucky, and many other states have similar regulations in place. Quite a few states require all riders to wear helmets regardless of their age. Only three states, Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire, have no helmet use laws in place.

How Helmet Laws Affect Fatality Rates

It’s no secret that helmets serve a significant purpose for bikers. They protect the head against impacts to prevent skull and brain injuries. In some cases, they can protect the eyes and face to at least some extent as well. Research shows that helmets can reduce the risks of head injuries by almost 70 percent and the risk of death in a motorcycle accident by more than 40 percent.

According to recent reports, states with universal helmet laws have nearly 30 percent fewer motorcycle fatalities than those without them overall. Florida is a prime example of how helmet use laws can affect motorcycle accident fatality rates. Until 2000, the state had universal helmet laws in place. In that year, the laws were changed to cover only riders under the age of 20. Following that change, helmet use fell from 99 to around 53 percent. At the same time, crash fatality rates surged by almost 50 percent.

In contrast, Louisiana transitioned from partial to universal helmet use laws in 2004. As a result, the state’s helmet use rates climbed from 60 to 99 percent. In turn, motorcycle accident fatality rates dropped by an estimated 30 percent, and traumatic brain injuries resulting from bike crashes decreased by 40 percent. Washington state experienced a similar trend after reinstating its universal helmet laws back in 1990. After doing so, the state’s bike crash fatality rates decreased by 25 percent, and the rate of TBIs in motorcycle accidents fell by around 33 percent.

Helmet Limitations

All that being said, helmets can’t prevent all injuries. Though they go a long way toward protecting the head in motorcycle crashes, concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and other types of head and face trauma can still occur even when wearing a helmet. They can’t protect other parts of the body against road rash, broken bones, internal trauma, and other injuries, either.

Reducing Motorcycle Injuries and Fatality Rates

Motorcycle crashes are far too common, and they happen more frequently during the summer months because more bikes are on the roads. In states with less stringent helmet use laws, those accidents result in far more head and brain injuries and fatalities. While helmets can’t prevent all injuries, it has been proven that requiring riders to wear helmets can take those figures in the right direction.