Helmet Laws and Helmets
Missouri almost repealed the helmet law earlier this year, but Governor Jay Nixon chose to veto the bill. This action continues to make Missouri the only one of the Four States with a mandatory requirement for helmets for all riders. Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas have age restrictions requiring helmets for those under 18 in Kansas and Oklahoma and under 21 in Arkansas.
Governor Nixon, in a written statement, said “By keeping Missouri’s helmet law intact, we will save numerous lives, while also saving Missouri taxpayers millions of dollars in increased health care costs. Keeping our helmet law in place was the safe and cost-effective choice for Missouri.”
Pro-helmet proponents cite statistics from every source imaginable. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that helmeted riders have up to a 73% lower fatality rate than unhelmeted riders. A study by the NHTSA of 10 states that repealed helmet laws found that helmet-use rates dropped from 99% to 50 % and motorcycle fatalities increased significantly.
The insurance industry supports helmet laws reporting that approximately 66% of the costs of motorcycle crash victims is picked up by private insurance, 22% from public funds, and 12% from other sources. Unhelmeted riders are 46% more likely to be uninsured riders, meaning taxpayers are picking up a large part of the medical costs. Nearly one quarter of the motorcycle fatalities involved riders with invalid licenses.
Missouri Department of Transportation says 80% of motorcycle crashes results in injury or death. In 2008, there were 330,000 licensed motorcycle riders in Missouri. Of the fatal motor vehicle crashes that year, 12% involved motorcycles in which 107 riders were killed. A statewide poll conducted by MoDOT in April 2009 showed that 84% of 2050 people surveyed by phone supported the current helmet law and 9% opposed it.
The Brain Injury Association of Missouri supports helmet laws stating that helmets save lives and prevent serious brain injury. Their stats claim that 81% of people support helmet laws and that riders are 40% more likely to die in a crash if they are not wearing a helmet.
Pick up a copy of "Two Wheels, Four States" Magazine to read the rest of the article...
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Bikers have one stat in their favor that neither the insurance industry nor the safety bureaucrats can touch. It's called a "legislative majority," and B4BS.NET explains how to get there.
ReplyDeleteNice one! There's still the other way if you'll need it...
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