What Happened to Our Motorcycle Helmet Law?
Motorcycles are fun and provide a freedom not found in cars; but in the case of an accident, they also provide less safety, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Using statistics from the NHSTA and U.S. DOT, in 2015 the NHSTA reported that for every mile driven, the odds of being fatally injured in a motor vehicle crash is 27 times higher for motorcycles than cars. The report also concludes that helmet use is about 37 percent effective in preventing motorcycle deaths and 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries. Despite these statistics, only 19 states and Washington D.C. have universal helmet laws.
Support from the Medical Community
According to reports by ktar.com and havesunews.com, the bill was backed by the medical community to reduce injuries and was moderated to be more appealing to the Republican majority in the Arizona government. It provided that motorcyclists could be ticketed for not wearing a helmet only if pulled over for another violation — for example, speeding. The fine would be $500, $300 of which would go to a fund to assist motorcycle head injury patients. The bill also exempted those who paid a fee at registration.
The medical community was strongly behind the measure, suggesting that this sort of law would have a serious impact on head injuries and saving lives overall for individuals unfortunate enough to be in a motorcycle accident. Rep. Friese himself is a surgeon.
A Weak Argument
Opponents of the law argue that the numbers of accidents don’t justify the law and that many of the accidents are the fault of other drivers, anyway. However, the flaw in this argument is that no matter whose fault the accident is, traumatic brain injuries are costly not only in lives but in economic costs, as well.
Why It’s Important for Arizona
CDC Stats
- Helmets saved an estimated 1,630 lives and $2.8 billion in economic costs in 2013.
- The United States could have saved an additional $1.1 billion in 2013 if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.
- Helmets reduce the risk of death by 37%.
- Helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69%.
The helmet law issue is especially important in Arizona, one of the sunniest states with one of the warmest climates in the United States, a setting where motorcycles are extremely popular. According to Arizona DOT records, of 8 million registered motor vehicles, 200,000 are motorcycles; and of 116,609 motor vehicle crashes in 2015, 2,988 involved motorcycles. Bearing out the national statistics, in the 2,988 motorcycle accidents, there were 2,497 injured and 134 killed.
Arizona last had a universal helmet law in 1976. More than forty years later, Rep. Friese appeared optimistic even after the bill was rejected in committee, stating that he didn’t expect it to pass but in this case it did garner publicity.
If you have been involved in an Arizona motor vehicle accident, we’re here to help. Khalidi Law Firm, PLLC has more than two decades’ experience litigating vehicle accidents, including cars, motorcycles, trucks and even bicycles from our offices in Tucson’s Barrio Historica.
