Trends in Arkansas Motorcycle Trauma After Helmet Law Repeal
It may come as no surprise that when a state repeals a mandatory motorcycle helmet law, that some motorcyclists will stop wearing helmets. According to a recent study published in the Southern Medical Journal, the repeal of Arkansas’s mandatory motorcycle helmet law in 1997 resulted in an increase in the rate of total crashes, injuries and fatalities.
From 1997 to 2001, the number of registered motorcycles in the state rose dramatically, doubling in four years from almost 16,000 in 1997 to over 31,000 in 2001 (Although the trend may have had something to do with the repealed law, motorcycle ownership across the country also showed a sharp increase during that period). Although the number of crashes per 1,000 motorcycles went down slightly after the Arkansas repeal, the number of unhelmeted riders fatalities went up significantly – from 47% to78%.
What is most interesting to note is the rate of crashes, injuries and fatalities associated with intoxicated, unhelmeted motorcyclists. After the repeal, 87% of motorcyclists who were killed after drinking and driving were also not wearing a helmet (before the repeal, that rate was under 40% for the same group). The authors of the study point out that the individuals who are careless enough to drink and drive, are more likely to add the additional reckless behavior of foregoing a helmet when its use is not mandated by law.
Beyond the rising toll in lives that unhelmeted riders are costing the state, an increased strain on Arkansas’ health care system is also associated with neglecting to wear a helmet. The traumatic brain injuries that result from crashes where cyclist's abandon their helmets result in longer intensive care stays, rehabilitation costs, and loss of productivity.
Legislators in Arkansas attempted to reinstate the helmet law in 2003 but the measure never made it to a vote. The authors of the study say the Arkansas mandatory motorcycle helmet law repeal has had a significant negative effect on road safety in the state.
Bledsow GH, Li G. Trends in Arkansas motorcycle trauma after helmet law repeal. Southern Medical Journal 2005;98:436-440.
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