Motorcycle Helmet Laws
The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) estimates that helmets saved 1,784 motorcyclists from death in 2007. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 800 lives could have been saved. As an avid motorcycle operator, I have been in a few close calls of my own. Luckily for me, if something would have occurred, I would have at least been safer due to my motorcycle helmet.
It is safe to say that thousands of lives could be saved each year by national adoption of universal helmet laws. From 1984 through 1995, helmets saved the lives of more than 7,400 motorcyclists. However, more than 6,300 additional deaths could have been prevented if all riders had been wearing helmets (tntrafficsafety.org). There are minor debates about one not feeling comfortable while riding with a helmet because of to the weight of it. However, manufacturers make carbon fiber helmets that have virtually no weight. On average they weight around two to three pounds. They are a bit more expensive than your average helmet. However, one can’t put a price on life. Safety should definitely be the underlying factor, especially since riding a motorcycle is already considered dangerous in itself.
The analysis of fatal crash data from 2008 to 2010 showed 12 percent of motorcyclists in states with universal helmet laws were not wearing helmets, but 64 percent of riders were not wearing helmets in states with partial helmet laws and 79 percent weren 't wearing helmets in states with no helmet laws. According to CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden, "Increasing motorcycle helmet use can save lives and money. In 2010, more than $3 billion in economic costs were saved due to helmet use in the United States. Another $1.4 billion could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets (www.ohsonline.com).” Annual cost savings in states with universal motorcycle helmet laws for motorcycle riders and passengers were nearly four times more per registered motorcycle than in states
It is safe to say that thousands of lives could be saved each year by national adoption of universal helmet laws. From 1984 through 1995, helmets saved the lives of more than 7,400 motorcyclists. However, more than 6,300 additional deaths could have been prevented if all riders had been wearing helmets (tntrafficsafety.org). There are minor debates about one not feeling comfortable while riding with a helmet because of to the weight of it. However, manufacturers make carbon fiber helmets that have virtually no weight. On average they weight around two to three pounds. They are a bit more expensive than your average helmet. However, one can’t put a price on life. Safety should definitely be the underlying factor, especially since riding a motorcycle is already considered dangerous in itself.
The analysis of fatal crash data from 2008 to 2010 showed 12 percent of motorcyclists in states with universal helmet laws were not wearing helmets, but 64 percent of riders were not wearing helmets in states with partial helmet laws and 79 percent weren 't wearing helmets in states with no helmet laws. According to CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden, "Increasing motorcycle helmet use can save lives and money. In 2010, more than $3 billion in economic costs were saved due to helmet use in the United States. Another $1.4 billion could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets (www.ohsonline.com).” Annual cost savings in states with universal motorcycle helmet laws for motorcycle riders and passengers were nearly four times more per registered motorcycle than in states
References: Motorcycle safety (Rev. Oct. 1999. ed.). (1999). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Highway safety NHTSA 's motorcycle helmet activities. (1997). Washington, D.C.: The Office. Chenier, T. C., & Evans, L. (1984). Motorcyclist fatalities and the repeal of mandatory helmet wearing laws. Warren, Mich.: General Motors Research Laboratories. Motorcycle helmet use laws. (1999). Washington, DC: U.S. Dept. of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Http://saferoads.org/files/Top%20Ten%20Reasons%20for%20Helmet%20Law%20091107.pdf Http://tntrafficsafety.org/sites/default/files/motorcyclehelmets1.pdf