Impact of repeal of motorcycle helmet law.

Statistics show that without doubt, mandatory helmet legislation affects usage and this in turn dramatically reduces the death and injury rates and there is also a reduction in the accident rate associated with helmet usage.

Abstract

This study was designed to determine if changes have occurred in the death and injury rates after the repeal of the Kansas mandatory helmet law in 1976 and secondarily to check the thesis that the use of helmets did, in fact, reduce death and disability from motorcycle accidents. It was conducted in Kansas for two, three month periods, before and after the legislation was repealed. The number of accidents, the number of motorcycle registrations, the injury severity, the rate of injury and the number of fatalities were studied. The use of helmets during these periods and the use of helmets during accidents were also determined. Statistics show that without doubt, mandatory helmet legislation affects usage and this in turn dramatically reduces the death and injury rates. There is also a reduction in the accident rate associated with helmet usage.