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.