The link between helmet laws and motorcyclists fatalities may seem intuitive and obvious, but now because of a study published in the American Journal of Surgery we have scientific proof that helmets save lives.The study focuses around Michigan, which repealed its mandatory helmet law (thanks to help from the AMA) in April 2012, and has since had three riding seasons with a greatly reduce helmet-wearing requirement.After the repeal, motorcyclists in Michigan can now ride without a helmet if they are over 21-years-old, have had their license for at least two years, and have at least $20,000 in additional medical insurance coverage.Postulating that legislatures made a mistake in that repeal, the basic conclusions from the study are that the state has seen an increase in injury severity for motorcycles, a higher in-patient mortality for motorcyclists, and worse neurological damage for motorcyclists.While those are all painful logical results, the numbers paint an even more grim picture.The American Journal of Surgery notes an almost immediate rise in motorcyclist death and injury after the helmet law’s repeal, and focuses on the trauma center at the Spectrum Health Hospital in Grand Rapids for its result – where Dr. Carlos Rodriguez works, the study’s main author.

Within weeks of the helmet law’s repeal, the number of motorcyclists admitted to Spectrum Health Hospital increased noticeably. The study says that there was a four-fold increase in the number of motorcyclists who had not been wearing a helmet admitted to the hospital (7% before the law was repealed, 28% after).The study also reports a three-fold increase in the number of helmetless riders who died at the hospital, verses before when helmets were mandatory (3% before the law was repealed, 10% after).motorcycle superstore in phoenixThe most staggering statistic though involved riders who didn’t even make it to the hospital, with the non-helmeted rider fatality rate increasing from 14% before the law was repealed to 68% afterwards – almost a five-fold increase.motorcycle shops epsomInterestingly enough, the repeal of the helmet law also had an affect on rider intoxication, as the study reports an increase in blood-alcohol levels for admitted motorcyclists. macna motorcycle clothing

This makes for interesting conjecture regarding the link between impaired judgment, helmet use, and accident rates.The study finishes its results saying that non-helmeted motorcyclists admitted to the hospital stay in the ICU longer, and require more assistance in breathing.It also says that the average cost of the hospital visit for a helmetless rider is 32% more than for a helmeted rider ($27,760 vs. $20,970) – a cost according to Dr. Rodriguez that the hospital and taxpayers often have to pay, despite Michigan’s insurance requirement.motorcycle helmet visor skinsNo matter which side of the helmet debate you fall under, there is much to be said about this study in the American Journal of Surgery, as it is not a perfect assessment, and focuses on the data of only one hospital in Michigan.However, the study captures on one of the best “before and after” moments in the helmet law debate.

However as we stated at the start of the article, the benefits of riding with a helmet are intuitive and obvious, as are the detriments of riding without one – a point this study easily illustrates.What isn’t obvious is the steep and immediate increase that repealing helmet laws has on society, not to mention the cost and burden that is placed on everyone, by the actions of a few motorcyclists looking to express their “freedom” on two wheels.Despite this significant data point in the discussion regarding mandatory helmet last, we expect the debate will continue on.Source: American Journal of Surgery via ReutersLawmaker killed by motorist, “right of way violation.” - Facts Instead of Fiction on Michigan’s Helmet Law Last Updated: Friday, 16 September 2016 14:18 Contact: Vince Consiglio (248) 672-0957Jim Rhoades (734) 578-6144 In recent months many advocates of mandatory helmet laws have attacked Michigan’s ADULT CHOICE motorcycle helmet law passed in 2012.

In these “reports” the claim is that 40% of riders who died in fatal crashes were un-helmeted which means 60% of riders were wearing helmets. More riders died wearing a helmet than without. The real problems are UNENDORSED MOTORCYCLE RIDERS and car drivers violating a motorcyclist’s right of way, by making a left turn in front of the rider. Every year since 1989 (a total of 27 years) when Michigan started keeping track of this data, 40% OR MORE of the motorcycle riders did not have a motorcycle endorsement and, were thus, riding illegally. In 2013 and 2015 that number reached 57% or nearly 3 out of 5 riders involved in fatal accidents, according to Michigan’s Office of Highway Safety Planning. Additional claims are taken out of context and show a lack of integrity in their reporting. The claim that there was a 23% increase in motorcycle fatalities from 2014 to 2015 is misleading since they do not state that 2014 had the lowest number of motorcycle fatalities in ten years while 2015 had the highest number.

The helmet law faction claims “The very low figure in 2014 appears to be an anomaly.” Thus the truth, buried in their report is that 2015 was normal. ABATE Statistician, Vince Piacenti, finds this “cherry-picking” of data to falsely represent motorcycle safety records to be unprofessional. He added, “Comparing a high year with a low year is not statistically valid.” “The reality is that deaths fluctuate with miles driven, which is affected by weather,” wrote Jarrett Skorup of the Mackinac Center. “At the end of the day, the fatalities this year are well within the range of what is normal. The recent fatality of State Representative Peter Pettalia from a right of way violation, shows the need for a state funded motorcycle awareness program. Pete was an experienced rider. He rode with a defensive riding mindset. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and kids. Left turns in front of a motorcycle rider are one of the leading causes of motorcyclist’s fatalities.