Motorcycle helmets save £3bn claims US

In states without helmet laws, 79% of those killed weren't wearing a helmet

Posted: 2 July 2012
by Visordown News

In the US, he's known as a 'squid'

A US Federal study of motorcycling claims that requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets saved the economy $3bn (£1.91bn).

The study was based on 2010's figures and savings were made from a reduction in healthcare expenses, lost wages and other expenses including policing. The study also claims that deaths were reduced by 1,500.

Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have laws requiring anyone on a motorcycle to wear a helmet. Twenty-eight states have laws requiring helmet use by only some people, and three states have no helmet law. In states without helmet laws, 79% of the motorcyclists killed weren't wearing helmets, compared to 12% in states that require all riders to wear helmets.

In 2000, Florida relaxed its helmet laws and in the following two years, motorcycle-related deaths rose by 21%, while costs for motorcyclists with head, brain or skull injuries more than doubled, increasing from $21 million (£13.4 million) to $50 million (£31.9 million).

Motorcycle groups like ABATE have argued against mandatory helmet lawsa for decades, saying that motorcyclists should have the freedom to choose.



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K R
I always see that, why skip out on all the rest of the gear, but put gloves on?

Posted: 03/07/2012 at 06:22


pcmmid
Having just been in the US (Texas) on holiday, I noticed this about riders and wearing helmets

Harleys, most of them - no helmet
Tourers (goldies & BMs etc)- about half wear one
Sports bikes - almost all wear a helmet

so it appears to be an image thing

Posted: 03/07/2012 at 09:31


Montgomery Burns
Really, it's just natural selection at work. No problem for the rest of us, as long as no helmet invalidates insurance, etc, and doesn't cost society in any way.

So, in summary, it's civil liberty. You get to choose, but you cop the result.

Posted: 03/07/2012 at 09:32


Marius Herea
@KR - without gloves you might loose grip on handle
@PCMMID - On a sport bike is quite hard at 150mph without a helmet. You get wind rash, insects and is impossible to breathe.

Should be simple though. No helmet, no free treatment. If you do not care about your small brain, then pay if you want medical care.

Posted: 03/07/2012 at 11:31


Kick Kicker
So in the states that require you to wear a helmet, 12% of those who died wern't wearing one. The way this article is worded is real bad.

Posted: 03/07/2012 at 12:14


Richard Warmsley
There are lots of dumb things in life you're not allowed to do. Civil liberties have never meant 'I can do whatever I want', wherever you live. It does cost society: whether your healthcare system is public or private, you pay for the treatment of horrific treatment because of idiots that don't wear helmets in your premiums or tax.

Posted: 03/07/2012 at 13:48


Mike F 7
No helmet law in my state. That said, I've never ridden with somebody who didn't wear one. Even on a loosely organized group ride, I've never had somebody show up with out a lid. They would be shunned. I hang with mostly ADV and Sport-touring dorks, though.

A lot of short-trip urban moto (and especially scooter) riders go without. Always get a few bandana wearing cruiser riders on the highway as well, an eyepatch and a parrot shy of their pirate costume.

Posted: 03/07/2012 at 14:21


John Gurley
Let me get these statistics right:
79% of deaths in states that don't mandate helmets weren't wearing helmets.
12% of deaths in states that DO mandate helmets also weren't wearing helmets.
Doesn't it naturally follow that most motorcyclists will be wearing helmets in states that mandate their usage? This is a meaningless statistic.

Regarding the other statistics: they seem right and smell right, that's why I always wear a helmet! It does seem to me that with proper education, most people should make the right decision. However in Maine, where only kids must wear helmets, most people choose not to wear them. I don't get it.

Posted: 03/07/2012 at 14:59


MGPHOPEFUL
It just proves what lunacy it is to not wear a helmet. Now I would personally like to see natural selection eliminate everyone who doesn't here in the US (if ya know what I mean) but for every fatality or expensive injury that results from no helmet EVERYBODY'S insurance goes up that just little bit. So...in effect...I am financing the ignorance and stupidity of others and that really makes me angry. Another erwason I am ashamed to be an American.

Posted: 03/07/2012 at 15:45


MGPHOPEFUL
Erm...'erwason"="reason"

Posted: 03/07/2012 at 15:45


Cody B
-No shirt (but the one in has pack reads "TapOut.")
-Crappy bicep tattoo
-Tribal fairings to match crappy tattoo
-Boat shoes
-Fauxhawk
-$400-worth of helmet hanging on side of bike
-Bike he can't pay off

This squid gets 7/7 douches earning him the coveted title of Squids LeDouche. Somebody give this man a UFC championship belt.

Posted: 03/07/2012 at 16:34


Suzsmokeyallan
In Florida you are not required to wear a helmet and you also do not need insurance on your motorcycle as long as you do not leave the state.
This is something that just amazes me, the no helmet law is ridiculous enough, but the no insurance thing just takes it to a whole other level.
Needless to say my bikes are insured and I wear a helmet and full gear ALL THE TIME, so my arse is covered as a Floridian m/cycle rider.

Posted: 03/07/2012 at 17:37


MGPHOPEFUL
Yes but if you have a car your bike must be ocvered under that accrding to law.

Posted: 05/07/2012 at 18:18


Harvey Wallbanger
Douchey hand-pose trumps all other douche indicators.

Posted: 07/07/2012 at 21:39


el-nicko
why squid?

Posted: 22/08/2012 at 21:38

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