Motorcycle Safety and the Repeal of Universal Helmet Laws

This research assesses the implications for motorcyclist safety of recent repeals of universal helmet laws in 6 U.S. states. Cross-sectional time-series data from the 50 states and the District of Columbia was examined for the period 1975-2004. On average, when compared to state experience with no helmet mandate, universal helmet laws were associated with an 11% reduction in motorcyclist fatality rates, whereas rates in states with partial coverage statutes were not statistically different from those with no helmet law. Furthermore, in the states in which recent repeals of universal coverage were instituted, motorcyclist fatality rates increased by an average of 12% over what would have been expected had universal coverage been maintained. Since 1997, an additional 615 motorcyclist fatalities have occurred in these states as a result of these changes in motorcycle helmet laws. It is concluded that motorcyclist safety has been compromised in states that have repealed universal coverage and is likely to be compromised in other states that abandon these statutes.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00900036
• Authors:
  • Houston, David J
  • Richardson Jr, Lilliard E
• Publication Date: 2007-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 2063-2069
• Serial:
  • American Journal of Public Health
  • Volume: 97
  • Issue Number: 11
  • Publisher: American Public Health Association
  • ISSN: 0090-0036
  • EISSN: 1541-0048
  • Serial URL: http://ajph.aphapublications.org/loi/ajph

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Fatalities; Human factors; Injury causes; Laws and legislation; Motorcycle crashes; Motorcycle driving; Motorcycle helmets; Motorcyclists; Safety equipment; Traffic safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Helmet laws
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01082438
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 18 2007 11:28AM