Studies Link Weakened Motorcycle Helmet Laws to Increased Deaths

In recent years, advocates in the motorcycling community have stepped up their efforts to sway state politicians into weakening or eliminating helmet laws for motorcycle riders. Their arguments often include a statement regarding how it should be their choice whether they wear a helmet because it is their body and therefore their choice. But as medical experts have point out time and time again, the use of helmets can greatly increase a person’s chances of survival in a motor vehicle accident.

But these laws do not just protect the riders from serious injury or even death, they offer liability protection to drivers of other vehicles as well. Motorcycle accident cases that result in injury can often hinge on state helmet laws. Like with North Dakota helmet laws, anyone under the age of 18 is required to wear a helmet while operating a motorcycle. Our state law even says that if the driver is required to wear a helmet then so too does the passenger, regardless of age. Injuries resulting from an accident may not be eligible for compensation if a rider was in violation of this law.

Studies conducted in other states have shown an increase in the number of motorcycle accident deaths in states where helmet laws were weakened or eliminated altogether. New studies have even looked at how the cost of accident claims rise in relation to these absent helmet laws.

While it doesn’t appear as if North Dakota will repeal its helmet laws any time soon, pressure from advocate groups will continue. It will be up to politicians and other drivers on the roads to argue their reasons for wanting to keep them in place. Because after all, motorcyclists aren’t the only ones on the roadways.

Source: Insurance Journal, “Motorcycle Injuries Rise After Helmet Laws Weakened: Study,” Joan Lowry, June 17, 2013.