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Can NTSB Move the Needle on Motorcycle Helmets?

Motorcycle fatalities in the United States dropped in 2009 for the first time in 11 years, according to NHTSA. The drop from 5,312 deaths and 96,000 injuries in 2008 to 4,462 deaths and 90,000 injuries was a welcome relief because 2008 was a record year for motorcycle deaths. NHTSA said the number of alcohol-impaired motorcyclists dying in crashes also fell by 16 percent, from 1,561 in 2008 to 1,314 deaths in 2009.

State authorities suggested several reasons for the declines: fewer miles driven because of the economy, fewer beginner motorcyclists, more attention to safety programs by the states, and even poor cycling weather, according to the April 2010 report published by the Governors Highway Safety Association. Indeed, Harley-Davidson's latest financial release indicated it will ship fewer motorcycles this year than in 2009.

The National Transportation Safety Board noted Nov. 16 that motorcycle deaths had fallen but said the 4,400 deaths still outnumber those in aviation, rail, marine, and pipelines combined. The leading cause of death for motorcyclists is head injury, NTSB said, as it explained a new Most Wanted Safety Improvement the board had voted to add to its list: "That everyone aboard a motorcycle be required to wear a helmet that complies with DOT's Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218." Twenty states and Washington, D.C. have universal helmet laws that apply to all riders, but 27 states have partial laws requiring helmets for riders and/or passengers who are minors, but not for adult riders. Iowa, Illinois, and New Hampshire have no helmet laws.

How important are helmet laws? They are the only proven strategy to reduce motorcyclist fatalities, according to NTSB, which cites NHTSA as the source for this statement. Illinois' motorcyclist deaths did not decline in 2009 from 2008, but Vermont, which has a universal helmet law, also saw its motorcyclist deaths increase.

Will the NTSB's recommendation cause universal helmet laws to increase? It's unlikely; the agency lacks regulatory authority and sometimes must wait years before its Most Wanted recommendations are fully implemented. Remember, some states repealed helmet laws a few years ago when motorcyclists pushed the issue, calling it a question of individual rights and freedom. Other safety organizations made the same recommendation during the 11-year period when deaths were rising relentlessly.

Posted by Jerry Laws on Nov 19, 2010


Comments

Wed, Jan 19, 2011 js Iowa

I don't agree motorcyclists should be made to pay if someone else harms them, and I think, again, regulating behaviors through insurance (health, auto, you name it) is no different than the government regulating behavior through traffic laws, because government regulates insurance. And I will continue with my same analogy of people who make choices that I don't agree with yet have to pay for in the area of reproduction. Based on your rationale and my scenario, a woman who unintentionally and irresponsibly gets pregnant and ends up with a premie in the NICU (easily hundreds of thousands of dollars) should bear a large portion of that cost. Seems a little unreasonable to me. My point is who gets to decide what behaviors deserve to be penalized and in what fashion. Giving those decisions over to a group of unpredictable elected officials whose priorities shift whichever way the wind blows is scary. And I didn't factor in the gazillion other costs associated with unplanned pregnancies that I either directly or indirectly pay for. I'm guessing it's a lot more than the health care costs of motorcyclists who don't wear ATGATT. They usually end up dead...not many costs associated with that. Do we REALLY want someone micromanaging every potentially detrimental behavior? Be careful what you wish for.

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 NT Minnesota

The question is not can they but should they. I am clearly a believer in safety, so understand when I say I can't understand why someone would choose to not buckle up or to not use a helmet. But I believe that traffic laws are not the way to manage individual personal rights and responsibilities. I think insurance companies should adjust premiums upward for individuals that want to ride without a helmet. I think accident injury fault should be assigned to an individual that chooses not to use the safety equipment available. If I am at fault if I were to hit a helmeted rider than I should pay for the riders injuries, without a helmet then the rider pays for the additional cost caused by their action, upwards to 80% of the injury cost. Then the police can focus on real traffic issues, like red lights and high speed compliance.

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 Minnesota

RE: There was a study several years ago on motorcycle accidents and the use of helmets. The results of the study was that a majority of motorcycle accidents was atributed to by the rider wearing a helmet, the helmet(and the sun) heated up the riders brain to the level of intoxication therefore reducing their responce time. Can you please provide a reverence to this "study"? It sounds like urban legend to me. I used up all my dumb luck years ago when I first began to ride. All the gear, all the time.

Tue, Jan 4, 2011 Editor

There's no dispute that motorcyclist deaths increased during an 11-year period that ended in 2010. The death rate may not have increased given an increase in the number of people riding motorcycles and the miles driven, but total deaths increased.

Tue, Jan 4, 2011 Iowa

The statement that there have been more motorcycle deaths and injuries is a misleading statement. When you look at the overall picture of more motorcycles on the road, more miles ridden because of fuel prices and general economy, more riders returning to riding because of fuel prices and the general economy and the whole picture covering the past 20 or 25 years there is little increase when all factors are taken in to consideration. It is also unfair to say that head injuries are the major cause. There may be a head injury present (large oe small) but the rider may actually suffer more internal trauma that results in the actual cause of death. You can't tell the cause of death by looking at an accident report. Likewise you can not state conclusively that head injuries are the leading cause. Increaded accident prevention education and awareness for all road users would make the entire helmet arguement unnecessary.

Tue, Dec 7, 2010

Just how much crap are you willing to eat? The government has more than you can take. Whatever happened to personal choice and the right to live your life unimpeded by a bunch of nanny-crats. We as riders are dealt with like second class citizens, but what is the most disturbing to me is that we allow this type of behavior to continue. If the rider population banned together for an effort to stop the crap from coming from bureaucrats that have nothing better to do with their time than to make up some ridiculous law, we could stop the continual discrimination and be done with the threat forever. Case in point, Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio. These are the examples that we should be following. I have over 67,000 riders in Nevada and can't get 300 to act together. With 20,000 one third of that kind of voting power ABATE could control who is or is not in office and stop the B.S. period but as we all know because we all have different viewpoints on just about everything these days the government will continue to win. Mike BONES Davis, President and Founder of ABATE of Southern Nevada.

Mon, Dec 6, 2010 js Iowa

The diminishment of "individual freedom" by Mhindin is something I find concerning. Regulation in the name of "cost", particularly when it comes to behavior, is an arguement that can be used in virtually any behavior-related choice. The salt and obesity police will be out shortly thanks to the health care overhaul. It is never going to get better until people start speaking up against the gradual erosions of freedom we are seeing. I don't care to pay insurance premiums to cover the costs of those in my plan who choose to reproduce, but I do, because that is the purpose of insurance. I would darn well expect my health or other liability insurance plan to cover any injuries I would have while riding my motorcycle...helmut or not.

Mon, Dec 6, 2010 Virginia

There was a study several years ago on motorcycle accidents and the use of helmets. The results of the study was that a majority of motorcycle accidents was atributed to by the rider wearing a helmet, the helmet(and the sun) heated up the riders brain to the level of intoxication therefore reducing their responce time. That is what the vents in helmets are trying to battle, not working well if you are stuck in traffic with no wind passing the veted helmets.I was told by a close friend in Florida in 1972 that the helmet main functio is to keep the face pretty for the casket, ride defensively and with care and you will not need to worry

Mon, Dec 6, 2010

The number one fatality from head injuries are falls at home. (CDC)Maybe evryone should wear a helmet all the time. NHTSA's stats are off also. They lump mopeds,ATV's and dirt bike riding into the same catagory. They have no idea how many were wearing helmets due to faulty CODES reporting from the states including vehicle miles traveled etc. NHTSA needs to be de-funded and the NTSB needs to stay away from road safety.

Sun, Dec 5, 2010 Carol Oklahoma

The thing is that if you compared fatality stats from helmet and free states you could not tell which was which, as the numbers are virtually the same. How about focusing on crash prevention instead...

Sun, Dec 5, 2010

There's behind the scenes lobbying by the insurance companies for helemet laws because it costs them a lot in claims for their cage drivers maiming and killing us, politics and profit, plain and simple. Also, the spike in deaths and accidents can be attributed to the fat tire, big motor "fad" motorcycles over the previous few years. A lot of newbies plopped down $25-50 thou and then went out on something powerful and harder to handle and killed themselves.

Sun, Dec 5, 2010 Mike Wamego, KS

I see alot of support for a helmet here. Well I'm kinda new at this, only 30yrs, moyocycle thing. I ride on & off road. I have been known to wear a helmet if I'm getting alittle "crazy" in the dirt.I've also had soom "good" crashes not wearing a helmet. Being military at the times always said yes to wearing a helmet. I've been told 3 times that the helmet [that I wasn't realy wearing] is what saved my life. Yep, you bet. 3yrs ago I was hit head on at 65mph and drug 20ft by a second "cage". The Doc that was in charge of fixing my skull and neck told me " I never thought I would say this,YOU are only alive because you didn't have a helmet on" , " an extra 2.5lbs of even a light hemet would have ripped your head off". All of you "super smart" people with the Idea that the helmet will save the world are clueless!! On the other hand, I do ask my son to wear a helmet. Mostly because he likes to go ride around town. Thats the biggest place a helmet has actualy proven helpfull, novice riders at lower speeds. I think the best way to lower motorcycle deaths is just quit hitting them with your "cage"!!

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 FL

I have been in two serious motorcycle accidents and was wearing a helmet in both. I am sure the helmet saved my life but I am adamantly apposed to mandatory helmet laws. This country needs to give up on trying to mandated everything. Let the individual decide. Life is hard, if you are stupid it is much harder! I support stupid people making stupid decisions.

Wed, Dec 1, 2010 JZ CT

The helmet law debate has gone on for decades. It is popular to tout because it is visible, tangible, and, essentially, low-hanging fruit. "Look! We're doing something!" It is much EASIER to implement than the effective rider and enforcement training that could significantly reduce the incidence of accidents overall. The actual CAUSES of motorcycle accidents are just starting to be researched as funding is sparingly appropriated. Go to The American Motorcyclist Association www.ama-cycle.org for "the rest of the story". I personally will ALWAYS wear a Snell-approved helmet though I live in CT (which does not require one). If I want a "token" $10 helmet I have to go to the adjacent state of MA, which requires a helmet when riding. Law enforcement officers can not read the DOT sticker on a passing helmet so enforcement, other than the aforementioned "low-hanging fruit", becomes futile. Do we want the tax-funded NTSB & NHTSA to be "perceived as effective" or ACTUALLY effective?

Wed, Dec 1, 2010 TMoore Washington State

Washington State has a mandatory helmet law and I don't believe it is the only reason why motorcycle deaths have decreased in the past year. Nor do I believe "They are the only proven strategy to reduce motorcyclist fatalities, according to NTSB..." as stated in the article. I believe the primary reason why motorcycle deaths and accidents have decreased in Washington is the training they are receiving. Washington has passed a law requiring a motorcycle endorcement before you can even purchase a motorcycle, so more people are getting at least the basic training prior to hitting the road on a new ride. Washington state, GWRRA, military bases and private companies all stress and provide training, classroom and on the road. With this training, and practice, a rider learns how to avoid trouble and what to do. Part of that training is "all the safety gear, all the time", which includes a helmet... law or no law.

Tue, Nov 30, 2010 JV Fla

Here in Florida we are not required to wear helmets. I wear a helmet regularly and have plenty of not only medical but also life insurance. Requiring additional insurance for cyclists that do not wear a helmet would not work. How many people drive cars, motorcycles with NO insurance already. I do not see these operators being heavily fined. They are the same ones running the motorcyclist down that ARE wearing helmets. If one chooses not to wear a helmet, that is their choice, just as buckling up with seatbelts is another that is not always followed either. $25 fine for no seat belt....

Mon, Nov 29, 2010 bmwwizard1

I am a motorcyclist and wear a helmet like a religion. You can bet that my insurance would not go down one red cent if I lived in a helmet law state. After an accident that the helmet definitely saved me, the insurance company for the girl that pulled out in front of me absolutely refused to pay for the $300 helmet. The helmet left a 6-inch by 8-inch dent in the side of the pick-up truck and I walked away. So much for insurance companies and helmets.

Mon, Nov 29, 2010 CGreen California

We have a mandatory helmet law in CA, some use the "$10" helmet approach after assessing how much their brain is worth. The Darwin Award competitors are still riding around, let them go without helmets, but: no tax $$$ spent on their medical support after they split their skull open. The individual freedom to pay their own medical bills goes along with high risk.

Mon, Nov 29, 2010 Mhindin Minnesota

Minnesota repealed adult helmet requirements under the irresponsible Governor Jesse Ventura using the individual freedom claim. This is freedom without responsibility as the rest of the community pays for the long term care, loss of production, etc. Motorcyclists that claim the individual freedom to ride without helmets should have to carry extra insurance coverage to cover the potential losses and be heavily fined if caught without helmet and extra insurance coverage.

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