New York Motorcycle Deaths and Injuries Reduced By Wearing Helmets

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released its annual report analyzing motorcycle helmet use throughout the United States. Helmet usage in the northeast has increased from 47% in 2006 to 58% in 2007, which unquestionably reduces fatalities and personal injuries suffered in New York motorcycle accidents.

Helmet use is highest in the western United States, with 77% wearing helmets, and lowest in the Midwest, with only 49% using helmets. Rural motorcyclists wear helmets 55% of the time, whereas suburban riders’ usage is 66%. Additionally, usage is lowest on the weekends, at only 54%. The study was performed at 2000 sites across the United States on statistically sampled roadways between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

Amazingly, only 20 states in addition to New York require helmet use, which reduces deaths and prevents serious injuries in motorcycle accidents.