Evaluation of the Repeal of Motorcycle Helmet Laws in Kentucky and Louisiana National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Linda A. Cosgrove, Ph.D. Research & Technology

Authors Robert Ulmer and David Preusser Preusser Research Group

Objective Determine the effects of the helmet law changes on: Observed helmet use Motorcyclist fatalities and injuries In 1998 Kentucky and in 1999 Louisiana repealed their universal motorcycle helmet laws

Background: History of Motorcycle Helmet Laws : Federal Requirement : Sanctions Eliminated : Stability : Federal Penalties : Penalties eliminated

: Federal Requirement Prior to 1966: no universal helmet laws Highway Safety Act of 1966 Required universal helmet laws Loss of construction funds By 1975: 47 States and DC adopted universal helmet laws Considerable controversy

: Sanctions Eliminated 1975: Congress repealed the universal helmet requirement and penalties 28 States repealed their universal helmet laws 1980: 19 States and DC with universal helmet laws

: Period of Stability Little change 1982: Louisiana re-enacted a universal helmet law 1983: Wyoming repealed its law

: Sanctions Re-enacted Gradual re-enactment of universal helmet laws 1990 GAO Study 1991: ISTEA passed Incentive grants Transfer program effective in 1995

: Transfer Eliminated 1995: National Highway Designation Act repealed the ISTEA transfer provision Efforts to amend or repeal helmet laws grew 6 States repealed their universal helmet laws 2004: 19 States and DC have universal helmet laws 28 States have laws applying to only some riders 3 States have no laws

Number of States with Universal Helmet Use Laws

Helmet Law Status 2004 Highlighted States have Universal Helmet Laws

California Motorcyclists Killed 1987 –2000 (Source: FARS)

Maryland Motorcyclist Killed 1987 – 2000 (Source: FARS)

Texas Motorcyclists Killed 1994 – 2000 (Source: FARS)

U.S. Motorcycle Registrations and Miles of Travel, (Source: FHWA)

U.S. Motorcyclists Killed, (Source: FARS)

Motorcyclist’s Fatality Rate, (Source: FARS, FHWA)

Percent of Registered Motorcycles Not Covered By a Universal Helmet Law (Source: NHTSA, FHWA)

Percent of Registered Motorcycles Covered By a Universal Helmet Law (Source: NHTSA, FHWA)

Percent of Motorcyclists Killed by Month (Source: FARS)

Motorcycle Registrations in States With and Without Universal Helmet Laws

Observed Helmet Use in Kentucky

MC Fatal Crashes and Fatalities in Kentucky (Source: FARS) YearFatal CrashesRiders Killed

MC Riders Killed in Kentucky

MC Injury Crashes and Injuries in Kentucky (Source: FARS) YearInjury CrashesRiders Injured

Kentucky Motorcycle Registrations and Crash Rates Year MCs Registered MC Killed per 10,000 Registered MC Injured per 10,000 Registered , , , , ,

Rate of MC Riders Killed in Kentucky (per 10,000 Registered)

Observed Helmet Use in Louisiana

MC Fatal Crashes and Fatalities in Louisiana (Source: FARS) YearFatal CrashesRiders Killed

MC Riders Killed in Louisiana

MC Injury Crashes and Injuries in Louisiana YearInjury CrashesRiders Injured ,101

Louisiana Motorcycle Registrations and Crash Rates Year MCs Registered MC Killed per 10,000 Registered MC Injured per 10,000 Registered , , , ,

MC Riders Killed in Louisiana (per 10,000 Registered)

Summary Observed helmet use dropped (from near 100% to 50%)

Summary Motorcyclist fatalities increased Over 50% in Kentucky Over 100% in Louisiana Fatality rates increased Over 37% in Kentucky Over 75% in Louisiana (18% nationally)

Summary Motorcycle injuries increased Over 33% in Kentucky Over 40% in Louisiana Motorcycle injury rates increased Over 17% in Kentucky Over 20% in Louisiana (Decreased 2.9% nationally)

Conclusion Repeal of mandatory helmet use laws in Kentucky and Louisiana resulted in: Decreased helmet use Increased fatalities and injuries

Limitations During this time period: The number of registered motorcycles increased by 20% (nationally) Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) increased 6% (nationally) National data suggest registrations are higher in States without mandatory helmet laws Repealing mandatory helmet laws appears to result in more registrations

Limitations National data suggest a trend towards larger bikes and older riders Thus, the increase in registrations experienced by Kentucky and Louisiana after repeal of their helmet laws may have also resulted in an increase in older/less experienced riders on larger bikes who are at greater risk of crash involvement

Limitations Insufficient data to determine the extent to which the increase in fatality and injury rates were due to: Reduced helmet use Increased exposure Increased riding by riders at higher risk of crash involvement

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