Why are people against motorcycle helmet laws?

Motorcycle Advocates Oppose Helmet Laws The most common argument against mandatory helmet laws for motorcyclists is that this would infringe upon the civil liberties of riders and their right to accept the risks of riding without a helmet. “Putting a helmet law in place does not reduce motorcycle fatalities.

Why do we have helmet laws?

Like seat belt laws, motorcycle helmet laws aim to make the roads safer for both the motorcycle rider and automobile drivers and to lower health care costs and other economic burdens that may rest on the rider, his or her family, and the state.

Why are helmet laws public health concerned?

Helmets prevent head injuries and deaths Helmets prevent fatalities and can reduce the number and severity of head injuries [1, 2]. After implementation of the California statewide universal motorcycle helmet law, fatalities decreased by 37.5 \% [2].

What are the reasons of youngsters reluctance to wear helmet?

‘Youngsters love two-wheelers but hate helmets citing lame reasons’ Cases of youngsters, including students, dying in road accidents have brought into sharp focus the reluctance among the youth to adopt safety measures while driving.

How do helmets work?

How do helmets work? A helmet has a hard, plastic shell on the outside and foam on the inside. The foam works to cushion the blow to the head, while the smooth, plastic outer shell allows your head to safely skid across the surface of impact without jerking your neck.

Are helmet laws constitutional?

Fact The highest courts in more than 25 states have held motorcycle helmet laws to be constitutional. The Massachusetts motorcycle helmet law was affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Should helmets be required?

Wearing a helmet is the single most effective way of reducing head injuries and fatali- ties resulting from motorcycle and bicycle crashes. Motorcyclists who do not wear helmets are at a much higher risk of sustaining head injuries and from dying from these injuries.

What are the arguments against motorcycle helmet laws?

Opposition to Motorcycle Helmet Laws. Any effort to enact a universal helmet law can expect immediate, well-coordinated, and highly political opposition ([NHTSA, 2003c]). Helmet law opponents claim that helmet laws impinge on individual rights.

Does repealing the helmet law increase fatalities?

Fatalities even increased among riders under age 21 who were still covered by the helmet law. Hospital admissions and treatment costs have also increased following repeal of universal helmet laws (Derrick and Faucher, 2009; GAO, 1991). (UNC Highway Safety Research Center, 2011, p. 5-8)

Do helmet laws increase TBIs among young motorcycle riders?

Weiss, Agimi, and Steiner, 2010, used data from the 2005 to 2007 State Inpatient Databases of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project and found 38 percent more TBIs among young motorcycle riders in states with a partial helmet use law for only riders under age 21 than young motorcycle riders in states with a universal law.

Is New York the first state to pass a mandatory seat belt?

G.M. called the allegations “absolutely ridiculous.” New York was the first state to pass a mandatory seat belt law followed by New Jersey. In New York, failure to wear a seat belt brought a $50 fine, which was no small change in 1985.