According to a recent study performed by the Office of Highway Planning and Safety, motorcycle helmet use in Michigan has dropped from 99.4% in 2006 down to just 73% . This is a pretty staggering statistic considering that helmets are the best line of defense against serious injury. But what factors have contributed to this steep decline? And is there any chance we'll see it turn back around in the future?
The study also goes on to highlight the motorcycle fatality rate here in the U.S., stating that numbers continued to climb from 1997 to 2008, at which point it 'peaked' at 5,312.
"As preliminary crash statistics from the 2012 riding season show significant increases in fatal and serious injuries, it appears that changes to the helmet use legislation has resulted in more severe injury outcomes," said a Detroit News Station.
But it's not just the drivers who are leaving their helmets behind; passengers are, too. The Office of Highway Planning and Safety found that 64% of motorcycle passengers wore helmets in 2011, but this number has declined to just 46% in 2012.
Now let's talk about the reasons why helmet use has dropped so much in Michigan. If you are currently a Michigan resident, you're probably well aware of the state's helmet law. Law states that individuals can drive a motorcycle without wearing a helmet under the following circumstances:
- Must be 21 years of age or older
- Have at least $20,000 in medical insurance
- Passed motorcycle safety course
Passengers are also allowed to ride motorcycle on Michigan's roads, so long as they meet the following criteria:
- Must be 21 years of age or older
- Have at least $20,000 in medical insurance
The link between sub-par helmet laws and serious motorcycle-related injuries/fatalities is all-too-common. Michigan isn't the only state that's ventured into the realm of allowing bikers to ride without a helmet. Each time a state drops some of their motorcycle driving safety requirements (including wearing a helmet), accident-related injuries begin to rise like clockwork.
It only takes a second to toss a helmet over your noggin, and doing so could save you from a world of hurt -- not to mention one of the world's most expensive medical bills thanks to ObamaCare.
So, what's your take on motorcycle helmets? Should drivers and passengers be legally required to wear them? Or is it okay to leave them at home?
