Here’s an interesting story from the Associated Press:
By Mike Stobbe
Associated Press
ATLANTA — Fewer motorcyclists die in states that require helmets, and the costs to society are lower too, according to a new federal study released Thursday.
About five times as many no-helmet biker deaths occur in states with less restrictive laws, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found.
“These laws save lives,” said Rebecca Naumann, an epidemiologist and the study’s lead author.
CDC researchers looked at a government tally of fatal traffic crashes. They focused on 2008 through 2010 and counted 14,283 deaths of motorcyclists.
That included 6,057 bikers with no helmet. Only about 12 percent of those deaths occurred in the 20 states that required everyone on motorbikes to wear helmets.
The researchers also made 2010 cost calculations based on medical expenses and lost work productivity from motorcycle deaths and injuries.
“In 2010, more than $3 billion in economic costs were saved due to helmet use in the United States,” CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden said in a statement. “Another $1.4 billion could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.”
In states that mandate helmets, including California, more is saved per registered bike than in states with fewer or no restrictions, $725 versus $200, researchers estimated. When the study was done, three states — Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire — had no helmet law and another 27 only required helmets for teenagers or certain other riders.
Twenty states had universal motorcycle helmet laws, but Michigan changed its law this year. Now riders older than 21 can ride without a helmet if they meet certain requirements, including carrying an additional $20,000 in medical insurance.
Motorcycle enthusiasts have argued that they should have the freedom to wear a helmet or not. They also say crashes involving motorcycles are just a small percentage of motor vehicle accidents.
According to the CDC, motorcycles account for about 3 percent of the registered vehicles on the road. But about 14 percent of the people who die in traffic accidents are motorcyclists.
Also Thursday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration urged motorcyclists not to wear the 5X5 brand, SA-08 model motorcycle helmet. Under federal testing, the helmets failed to meet penetration protection requirements.
Online: CDC report: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr
JWMcDonald
Well, Duh!
June 14th, 2012 1:30 pm
JCB
I can’t believe people got paid to do this study. Where do I signup for the study that will prove water is wet and the sky is blue?
June 14th, 2012 4:34 pm
Rich Honsa
If over 18 should still be the choice of the rider & minors should be required , They always use the cost excuse but this was originally pushed through by the helmet manufacturer’s. If their so worried about the cost to society how about the 10 BILLION DOLLARS to society for medical treatment for illegal’s in California alone.
June 14th, 2012 5:08 pm
G
A new study has just shown that this study was a waste of time.
June 15th, 2012 9:58 am
Anthony Angry
How many times do they have to release this same study?! Helmets work! As for the comment about personal choice: Sometimes stupid people have to be regulated. That’s why! Idiot!! Your red herring is stale and no one is chasing it down.
June 15th, 2012 11:36 am
Must see your papers
I was wearing helmets way before there was a helmet law. Get over it
June 15th, 2012 8:54 pm
Jeff
U die cuz u didnt wear a helmut? Modern day natural selection.
June 15th, 2012 11:53 pm
Michael B
Virtually 100% of car fatalities were not wearing helmets.
June 16th, 2012 4:47 am
JWMcDonald
As for free choice – I suggest the “Louisville Slugger” test – if you can survive a good, solid whack to the forehead with a baseball bat, then by all means you’ve earned the right to not wear a helmet (as long as you also have a DNR in place).
June 19th, 2012 1:28 pm
Kale G
Current:
Minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles (California Insurance Code §11580.1b)
$15,000 for injury/death to one person.
$30,000 for injury/death to more than one person.
$5,000 for damage to property.
If Kale was in charge:
Minimum liability insurance requirements for private motorcycle operators who elect not to wear a helmet:
$150,000 for injury/death to one person.
$300,000 for injury/death to more than one person.
$50,000 for damage to property.
$300,000 to cover your OWN medical expenses
Insurance Rate payers will not pay higher fees just so you can enjoy the wind blowing in your hair.
Social Darwinism; if you die from not wearing a helmet; sounds like you were too stupid NOT to wear one and society benefits from your death
June 19th, 2012 3:11 pm