How Effective Are Helmets on Motorcycle Safety?

 Posted on February 07, 2019 in Catastrophic Injuries

Many people drive motorcycles because they are fun to drive and are a much different experience than driving a normal car. However, motorcycles do come with their own risks. A motorcycle driver has less between them and the road than a car driver does, and less built-in safety features in their vehicle. Due to the nature of motorcycles, it is important that motorcycle drivers be prepared as much as possible in case of an accident.

One of the easiest ways to increase your safety on a motorcycle is to wear a helmet. Some people may not want to wear helmets because they do not like how they look or they do not think helmets are effective. Nevertheless, the statistics on helmet use do prove that wearing a helmet when driving a motorcycle saves lives.

Breaking Down the Statistics

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) collects data on all types of crashes, including motorcycle fatalities. The NHTSA estimates that drivers wearing motorcycle helmets prevented the deaths of 1,772 motorcyclists in 2015. In addition, there were 740 drivers which could have been saved if they had worn helmets. To put that in perspective, there were 4,976 motorcycle deaths total in 2015.

Motorcycle helmets are not going to prevent all deaths obviously, but they are an easy step and significantly reduce the likelihood of a fatality in a motorcycle crash. The estimates from the NHTSA put helmet usage at 37% effective in stopping fatalities for drivers and 41% for passengers. This means that out of every 100 motorcycle drivers killed that were not wearing helmets, 37 of them could have been saved if they wore helmets.

The overall helmet use in the United States was only 61% in 2015. That number is low for such a simple step to take which can easily decrease the likelihood of a fatality in a crash. Increasing the helmet usage in the US will create safer roads for all drivers, whether they are on a motorcycle or in a car.

Contact an Illinois Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycles have their risks and rewards compared to normal automobiles. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may want to contact a skilled DuPage County motorcycle collision attorney to help you with your personal injury case. The Law Offices of David W. Clark, P.C. provide compassionate care in all cases they work on and will work with you to get the resolution you want. Call us today at 630-665-5678 for a free initial consultation.

Source:

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812353