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Universal Helmet Laws
Universal helmet laws (wherein all motorcycle riders must wear helmets) translate into lives saved. ... Thats why all motorcyclists should wear helmets and why all states need a universal helmet law that covers all riders.
The following table illustrates both the main benefits achieved through the enactment of universal helmet laws, as well as the primary arguments opponents use to fight enactment of the laws:
Helmet laws translate into increased helmet usage.
Helmet laws increase helmet usage, which in turn saves lives and reduces head trauma. This has been proven numerous times through state fatality data (including Illinois (Kelly, Sanson, Strange & Orsay) California, (Kraus and Peak), Washington (Rowland, Rivara, Salzberg, Soderberg, Maier, & Koepsell), and Louisiana (McSwain & Wiley) that allowed comparison of deaths and injuries before and after helmet laws were enacted. The most accurate reflection of a states helmet use law is through the comparison of that states motorcycle crash-related fatalities before and after enactment or repeal a helmet law for all riders.
Each states data showed approximately the same trend:
· When universal helmet laws are enacted, helmet use increases, and fatalities and serious injuries decrease.
· When these laws are repealed, helmet use decreases, and injuries and associated costs increase, far exceeding the number of new motorcycles registered.
· Motorcyclist fatalities increase when a helmet law is repealed.
These results are consistent in every state where studies on the effectiveness of motorcycle helmet laws have been conducted. Additionally, data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) show that age-specific laws do not protect that group of riders that are historically victims in a fatal crash: those over the age of 21 years.
The facts show that helmet usage is clearly increased with the enactment of universal helmet laws; thereby increasing rider safety.
Helmet laws make good economic sense.
The motorcycle helmet law issue is directly tied to larger issues. ... The state legislatures must struggle with answering voters requests for better educational systems and lower crime rates, yet state dollars are spent on citizens who incur avoidable head injuries while riding a motorcycle without a helmet.
Approximate Word count = 1735
Approximate Pages = 6.9
(250 words per page double spaced)
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