My Take: Preventing motorcycle rider deaths
The Aug. 16, Sentinel article by Cassandra Lybrink, identified a few of the Michigan motorcycle riders who are injured or killed in crashes that occur almost every day. The article headline asked “What is Michigan doing wrong?”
The research provides some answers. Michigan, like many states, focuses their motorcyclist safety efforts on only two or three traditional interventions that research has shown to have no or very limited evidence of effectiveness. The No. 1 intervention shown to be effective at reducing injuries, death and saving millions in societal costs is an all-rider helmet requirement. Sadly, and with demonstrated devastating consequences, Michigan repealed its all-rider helmet requirement in April 2012.
The year 2021 marked 10 years since the law was repealed. Data show the main claims from the organization that lobbied the legislators and then Governor Snyder for the repeal to be false. Most important the claim that the repeal would not impact motorcycle rider deaths is certainly not true.
More:Motorcyclists are hospitalized or dying on a daily basis: What is Michigan doing wrong?
The average number of motorcyclist fatalities per year has increased 22.73 % in the 10 years post helmet law change compared to the nine years prior
There has been a 16.3 % increase in Michigan motorcyclist fatality rate per 100,000 registrations comparing ten years prior to and after the helmet law change.
Non-helmeted riders in crashes die at nearly twice the rate of helmeted riders.
The proportion of non-helmeted riders in the fatality data is significantly larger than the proportion of non-helmeted riders in the crash population.
The data demonstrates the law change resulted in an additional 200-250 motorcyclist fatalities 2012-2021.
In addition to the cost in lives lost, the increase in economic costs for the ten years (2012-2021) since the repeal of Michigan’s all-rider head protection law can be estimated at between $1.8 and $2 billion.
All valid research clearly demonstrates the benefits of wearing a helmet. Motorcycle helmets save lives and prevent devastating and debilitating head injuries. Every reputable safety research organization in the world supports the use of helmets as a way to reduce injury, death, and economic costs resulting from head, face and brain injury. For decades, hundreds of researchers representing distinguished organizations have researched the topic of the effectiveness of helmets. Meticulous reviews of the literature have concluded that the research clearly demonstrates the lifesaving benefits of wearing a helmet. That fact is not only clear but overwhelming and undeniable. Research addressing all aspects of helmet and helmet law effectiveness can be accessed at on our website at smarter-usa.org.
Unless this evidence is simply denied, advocates for an “adult choice” helmet law, like Michigan currently has, are left with only one position. They must believe the freedom to choose not to wear a helmet is worth the cost in human lives, disability and money.
The research provides answers and the non-profit motorcyclist safety association I represent has made the research readily available.
A short summary of the data regarding the devastating consequences of the repeal of Michigan’s all-rider motorcycle helmet law is available here.
Reinstating our all-rider helmet requirement is only a decision away. That action would have significant positive impact, can be implemented quickly and is virtually cost free. It is a no-brainer.
Our elected officials, especially those charged by their committee assignments in public health and transportation, must act on the question posed by Ms. Lybrink, in her article: What is Michigan doing wrong?
— Dan Petterson, Ed.D., is president of SMARTER (Skilled Motorcyclist Association–Responsible, Trained and Educated Riders), an association of responsible riders and others who care about the safety of motorcyclists.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: My Take: Preventing motorcycle rider deaths
