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ARE
HELMET LAWS EFFECTIVE?
The
Safety Issue:
- There is NO discernible difference in motorcycle accident or
fatality rates between states with mandatory helmet laws and those which allow
for freedom of choice. In fact, states which support voluntary use routinely achieve accident and fatality rates
equal to or lower than states with mandatory helmet laws for all riders. (American Motorcycle Association, 1995)
- Helmets are minimally effective in preventing most injuries. (National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration report to Congress, the CODES Study, 1995)
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There are no appreciable differences found relative to fatality
rate, severity of injury, hospital stay, and discharge status
between motorcycle accident victims who wore helmets and those who
did not. (Arizona’s Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Study, 1990)
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Relative to the number of registered motorcycles, states with
mandatory helmet laws had 12.5% more accidents and 2.3% more
fatalities than free choice states for the 14 year period 1977-90.
(Accident and Fatality Statistics, analyzed by A.R. Mackenzie, M.D.)
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"It is concluded that: 1) motorcycle helmets have no significant
effect on probability of fatality; and 2) past a critical impact
speed, helmets increase the severity of neck injuries." (Dr.
Jonathan Goldstein, Bowdoin College)
The
Cost Issue or “Public Burden Theory”:
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Helmet use is not associated with overall injury severity,
discharge status, or insurance status.(University
of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, June 1992).
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Injured motorcycle operators admitted to trauma centers had lower
injury severity scores compared to other road trauma victims. They
accrued lower hospital charges. They were less likely to rely on
Medicaid and Medicare, and they had about the same level of
commercial or private insurance as other road trauma victims.
(University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, June,
1992)
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The average inpatient charge for a helmeted motorcyclist receiving a
brain injury was equal to that of an unhelmeted motorcyclist
receiving a brain injury. (National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration report to Congress, the CODES Study, 1995)
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The average inpatient charge for a helmeted motorcyclist not
receiving a brain injury was approximately $1,000 more than that of
an unhelmeted motorcyclist not receiving a brain injury. (National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration report to Congress, the CODES
study, 1995)
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Helmet use has no impact on the cost of injury after it has
occurred. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report to
Congress, the CODES study, 1995)
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Motorcyclists are no more dependent upon public sources for medical
costs than motor vehicle operators. (National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration report to Congress, the CODES study, 1995)
Helmet
information
Here is a link to a web site which compiles a great deal of
information from helmet manufacturers - as well as other links to various
agencies and organizations. This information can be very helpful in our battle
to achieve personal freedom of choice. The manufacturers themselves are less
than enthusiastic about the ability of their product to protect motorcyclists at
anything over DOT specifications which I believe is 13.9 MPH. In addition there
are links off of this page to studies, statistics and reports that support our
position. Please read up on this information as it is critical that we have the
facts working for us whenever we can. Be prepared to defend our rights
with the truth.
Here's another one. Guess what it's about. Helmet
Laws Suck
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