Do mandatory bike
helmet laws reduce injuries?
Not exact matches
States with universal
helmet laws might have cheaper medical - related claim costs, which can
reduce insurance costs, but that savings likely has minimal or no impact on riders.
According to the Centers for Disease Control,
helmets can
reduce the likelihood of a motorcycle crash fatality by 37 % and head injuries by 69 %, but hardly any states, including Texas, have a universal
helmet law.
These
laws were put into place for a reason and according to surveys; motorcycle riders who wear a
helmet reduce the risk of fatal injury by 29 % and are 67 % more effective in preventing traumatic brain injury.
Even though
helmets are not required for motorcycle passengers by
law, wearing a
helmet can greatly
reduce the risk of fatal injuries in the event of a crash.
While the NHTSA has noted that mandatory
helmet laws are proven to be effective in
reducing fatalities — an issue that would have little impact in Louisiana where
helmets already are mandatory — it also notes that recent studies indicate that programs supporting heightened police enforcement of
laws that protect motorcyclists and increasing safety awareness among motorcyclists help to
reduce motorcycle injuries and fatalities.
Guidance recommends interventions across sectors, including comprehensive sexuality education in schools; higher age limits for alcohol consumption; mandating seat - belts and
helmets through
laws;
reducing access to and misuse of firearms;
reducing indoor air pollution through cleaner cooking fuels; and increasing access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.