HELMET LAWS: THE BATTLE CONTINUES

This article presents substantial evidence in support of mandatory helmet use laws. Of primary significance is the fatality rate which declined dramatically by 1975 following enactment by Congress of the 1966 Highway Safety Act requiring states to make helmet use mandatory for motorcyclists. Countless studies have shown the benefits of wearing helmets, but those opposed to mandatory use laws continue to present their arguments, some of which are discussed in this article. In conclusion, the case of Louisiana is presented. Louisiana modified its law to apply only to motorcyclists under the age of 18 in 1976. By 1980, annual motorcycle deaths in Louisiana rose 124 percent. During the same period motorcycle registrations rose only 30 to 40 percent. In 1981 Louisiana became the first state in the nation to reinstate its helmet law. Two inserts accompany this article: the first discusses certification labels in helmets and the second points out how Japanese law affects motorcyclists.

• Corporate Authors:

  Alliance of American Insurers

  20 North Wacker Drive
  Chicago, IL  United States  60606
• Publication Date: 1982

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 9-12
• Serial:
  • JOURNAL OF AMERICAN INSURANCE
  • Volume: 58
  • Issue Number: 4

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefits; Fatalities; Helmets; Laws; Motorcyclists; Utilization
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Research; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00380741
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-035 325
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 30 1984 12:00AM