No one likes being told what to do. Unfortunately, this defiance extends to requirements that could keep people safe. This is one of the issues in the motorcycle community regarding requiring riders to wear a helmet. Now, a new report highlights the potential impact requiring this safety equipment across the country would have. Notably, it would save a ton of lives. 

It’s safer for people who ride a motorcycle to wear a helmet

As of January 2023, there were about 8.8 million motorcycles registered in the United States. This might sound small compared to cars, but using two wheels to travel and commute is widespread. Of course, some assumed risks come from being a motorcycle rider, which is why many states require them to wear a helmet. Still, most states don’t mandate this equipment, which is a massive safety issue. 

According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, more than 20,000 people have died since the 1970s partly because motorcycle riders aren’t required to wear helmets. Specifically, the number is 22,058, which accounts for about 11% of all motorcycle-related fatalities from 1976 until 2022. Notably, 2021 and 2022 each saw about 6,000 riders killed in accidents. Currently, only 17 states and the District of Colombia require all riders to wear full helmets. 

The IIHS believes that if all states required motorcycle riders to wear a helmet, those numbers from 2021 and 2022 would be down by about 10%. The president of the organization had this to say, “Requiring all riders to wear helmets is a commonsense rule not that different from requiring people in cars to buckle up. We have an obligation to protect everyone on our roadways through smart policy.”

Doctors also agree

Forbes also talked to medical professionals about the importance of motorcycle riders being required to wear a helmet. Dr. Sheri Friedman, a head neurologist in Colorado, said, “When you see motorcyclists in the ICU who weren’t wearing helmets, it’s devastating. In the spring and all the way up to the end of fall, we see caved-in skulls and fractures.”

She continued, “You end up with a fracture, and it’s just horrible. Imagine walking up to a kid and seeing their skull caved in, and you can see the brain, and you’ll understand what we deal with and why almost 100% of us are in favor of helmet laws. It’s not just the initial impact that causes the damage, either. The brain swells, and the swelling causes more damage.”

She also discussed the damage she sees in people who aren’t wearing motorcycle helmets. She says, “Paralysis, not being able to speak, not having any memory are all typical of the injuries we see with motorcyclists who weren’t wearing helmets.”

Of course, some riders in states without requirements still wear motorcycle helmets. However, many agree that the whole country should require them. For more reading, check out this recent article about motorcycle jackets.