Stricter Helmet Laws Could Have Saved Thousands of Motorcyclists, Study Finds

A new study released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) suggests that over 20,000 motorcyclists who died in crashes since the mid-1970s could have survived if stronger helmet laws had been in place, The Associated Press reports.

The study, which compiled decades of fatal motorcycle crash data, found that if all states had required all riders to wear helmets from 1976 to 2022, 22,058 lives could have been saved. This represents 11% of all rider fatalities during that time period.

Currently, only 17 states and the District of Columbia mandate helmet use for all riders.

“We understand that requiring helmets for all riders everywhere would be unpopular with some motorcyclists, but this could save hundreds of lives each year,” said Eric Teoh, IIHS director of statistical services and the author of the paper. “Those aren’t just numbers. They’re friends, parents and children.”

The study highlights the impact of helmet laws, noting that helmet use rates have increased both in states with and without mandatory helmet laws. However, states with mandatory laws consistently see helmet use rates that are two to three times higher than those without.

With over 6,000 motorcyclists killed in both 2021 and 2022, the IIHS believes that enacting all-rider helmet laws in more states could significantly reduce the number of motorcycle fatalities, potentially lowering the death toll by as much as 10%.