Head Injuries Increase after Repeal of Pennsylvania Motorcycle Helmet Law

June 2008

Bikers who ride without helmets may soon want to consider changing their ways. According to a recent University of Pittsburgh study, the repeal of Pennsylvania's motorcycle helmet law in September 2003 has led to an increase in the amount of serious head injuries.

Researchers from several of Pitt's Schools of Health Sciences examined discharge data from all acute care hospitals in Pennsylvania for the two years before and after the repeal of the state's motorcycle helmet law. During this period, they found a 32 percent increase in head injury deaths and a 42 percent increase in head injury hospitalizations. The number of hospitalized bikers with head injuries who needed additional treatment at rehabilitation and long-term care facilities increased 87 percent. Finally, the total short-term care hospital charges resulting from motorcycle-related head injuries increased 132 percent.

Under PA's current law, motorcycle riders under the age of 21 and those who have less than two years of experience are required to wear helmets. Additionally, bikers who have not taken a safety course also have to wear helmets.