Motorcycle Helmet Effectiveness Revisited-Executive Summary

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Using Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data from 1993 through 2002, this report recalculates the “effectiveness ” of helmets in preventing fatalities in motorcycle crashes. The resulting effectiveness of 37 percent represents a significant improvement over the previous estimate of 29 percent obtained using data from 1982 through 1987. The 37 percent effectiveness would mean that from 1993 through 2002 helmets saved 7,808 lives, a substantial increase compared with the estimate of 5,430 lives saved using the old effectiveness measure.

The past fifteen years have seen significant advances in motorcycle helmet design and materials. As a result, the newer helmets afford a much greater degree of protection against potentially fatal head injuries.

Based on a comparison of fatal crashes involving motorcycles with two occupants, at least one of whom was killed, NCSA calculates the “effectiveness” of helmets in preventing fatalities. Recalculating the effectiveness of helmets in preventing fatalities using more recent data shows that helmets have indeed improved in their ability to protect the wearer. Unfortunately, the potential benefits of improved helmets are not being realized, as fatalities continue to rise in response to declining helmet usage rates. Had all motorcyclists consistently worn proper helmets over the 1993 to 2002 time period, the number of lives saved would have been much higher at 11,915.

Despite the fact that less than 3 percent of registered passenger vehicles are motorcycles, motorcyclist fatalities represent about nine percent of all passenger vehicle occupant fatalities. Considering that passenger car occupant fatalities are trending down-ward, policies that result in raising public acceptance of the protective value of helmets can have a significant impact on reducing the total number of lives lost annually on America’s highways.