During that time motorcycle fatalities increased 55 percent, while motorcycle registrations increased by only 15 percent. The current trend is toward repealing existing helmet laws, however there are still only 25 states, the District of Colombia, and Puerto Rico that require all motorcycle riders and passengers to wear helmets. In 22 states, certain populations, such as minors, are required to wear them, and in three states there are no helmet use requirements. Some say that these laws restrict freedom, that they don t work, or even that the helmets themselves are dangerous. It is time to get the facts out.
Motorcycle helmets reduce the severity of injuries.
State helmet use laws result in many more people using helmets, and when more people use helmets, the costs to family and society resulting from motorcycle deaths and injuries go down. When helmet laws are repealed, fatalities increase an estimated 20 percent. Constitutional and Necessary Helmet laws are constitutional. The highest courts in more than 25 states have declared helmet laws constitutional. As well, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Massachusetts law requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets.