Motorcycle Safety: Helmets Save Lives

 Deaths and injuries from motorcycle crashes are an important public health concern. Motorcycle helmet use is a proven way to save lives.

The Reality

Preventing serious injuries and deaths from motorcycle crashes is a major and growing public health concern. 

Consider that:

Motorcycle crashes killed 5,290 people in 2008.

The number of motorcycle-related deaths increased every year between 1997 and 2008.

Motorcycle crash-related injuries and deaths totaled $12 billion in one year, in medical care costs and productivity losses.

Helmets are estimated to prevent 37 percent of fatal motorcycle injuries for motorcycle riders (operators) and 41 percent of fatal injuries for motorcycle passengers.

A Proven Safety Measure

 Helmets save motorcycle riders' lives.

Helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69%. In a motorcycle crash, an unhelmeted rider is 40% more likely to die from a head injury than someone wearing a helmet.

In 2008, helmets saved over 1,800 riders' lives, but about 800 more lives could have been saved if all riders had worn helmets.

Laws That Save Lives

This type of law requires all motorcycle riders and passengers of all ages to wear helmets whenever they ride.

See Fact Sheets and Helmet Laws by State.

The most effective way to get people to wear helmets is the universal helmet law.

Each state decides its respective helmet law. As of 2010, 20 states and the District of Columbia had universal helmet laws, 27 states had a partial helmet law, and 3 states had no helmet law.

Safety Tips for Riders

• Always wear a DOT-approved helmet.
• Never drive your motorcycle after drinking. Alcohol greatly impairs your ability to safely operate a motorcycle. If you have been drinking, get a ride home or call a taxi.
• Don't let friends ride impaired. Take their keys away.
• Wear protective clothing that provides some level of injury protection. Upper body clothing should also include bright colors or reflective materials, so that other motorists can more easily see you.
• Avoid tailgating and riding between lanes.
• Maintain a safe speed and exercise caution when traveling over slippery surfaces or gravel.