Motorcycle Accident Deaths Increase

March 2008

An analysis of federal accident reports has revealed a trend in motorcycle accident fatalities. Death rates from motorcycle crashes have steadily increased since state helmet laws were weakened approximately 10 years ago.

Most states used to require all motorcyclists to wear helmets. This began to change in 1985, when the federal government stopped withholding highway money from states without helmet laws. After this decision, the annual motorcycle accident death toll rose from 2,160 to 4,810 and the number of states with mandatory helmet laws dropped from 47 to 20.

Last year, the National Transportation Safety Board unanimously recommended that states require riders to wear helmets. Opponents of mandatory motorcycle helmet laws say that it is an individual's right to choose what to do with his or her body. Pennsylvania motorcycle helmet law does not require adults over the age of 21 to wear helmets.