U.S.A.: How effective are motorcycle laws in reducing young motorcyclist fatalities?

Under increased pressure from motorcycle advocacy groups, states’ laws are being changed from requiring all motorcyclists to wear helmets to laws that require only young riders to do so. At the end of 2005, 20 states had universal laws, and that number is decreasing. Twenty-six states had laws requiring only young riders to wear helmets.

David Houston, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Tennessee, examined data for all US states taken from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Fatal Accident Reporting System to examine whether the trend from universal to partial coverage motorcycle helmet laws, was affecting fatality rates. He prepared several statistical models that showed that on the average, fatality rates for those aged 15-20 year old are 31% lower under universal coverage laws. Researchers commonly assume that partial coverage laws were not effective in protecting the entire population of motorcyclists, did feel that partial coverage laws had some effect on their specific target. That specific target is riders under 21 years old since most partial coverage laws require helmets for just younger riders.

In areas where only younger riders are required to wear helmets, no statistically significant reduction in young rider fatality rates is seen, even though they are required to wear helmets. Partial coverage laws appear to undermine wearing rates for motorcycle helmet riders. This results in lower than expected wearing rates – and subsequently higher fatality rates – for younger riders.

Houston concludes that his findings “suggest that the political deate over mandatory helmet laws is not simply an issue of providing adults the personal freedom to choose whether to wear a helmet.” Downgrading the universal laws to partial coverage ones means that the safety of younger riders will be compromised.

Houston DJ. Are helmet laws protecting young motorcyclists? J Safety Res 2007;38(3):329-36.

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