Washington State’s Mandatory Helmet Law

Is it really even safe?

San Diego County Head Injury Study*

Automobiles 53%

Non-vehicle, Non-bike 16%

Vehicle//Pedestrian 15%

Motorcycle10%

Bicycle6%

Of all sources of head injuries, only 10% were

related tomotorcycles, while53% were related

to automobiles.

Yet who is forcedto wear helmets?

*University of California San Diego 1978 study

Helmet Impact Standard FMVSS-218 calls

for impact test speeds of between 11.18 and 12.07 mph

(11.6 mph avg.) onto hemispherical anvils.

Helmet Impact Standard• This velocity is

attained by dropping the

helmet vertically from a height of

only 54.3 inches. This impact will

destroy the helmets ability to protect the head.

Helmet Impact Standard

FMVSS-218 calls for impact test speeds of between 12.95 and 13.84 mph (13.4 mph avg.) onto a flat anvil.

Helmet Impact Standard

• This velocity is attained by simply

dropping the helmet vertically from a

height of 6 feet, and destroys the

helmets ability to provide protection.

Helmet Manufacturer Quotes

• “DOT tests apply two impacts as well, both at around 13.4 MPH implying a single impact capacity greater than 13.4 mph but certainly no more than 19 mph.”

• Ed Becker, SNELL Foundation

Helmets are tested for impact speeds of 13.4 mph. With an overall 61% failure rate in testing are they even worth mandating?

• Data from US DOT Sources Showing Helmet Compliance For The Period 1980-2008.

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

HelmetsTested1540

HelmetsPassed

595

HelmetsFailed945

DOT Helmet Compliance Rates1980-2008

Is the purpose of the law truly to reduce injury and accidents?

• Greater Number of Accidents and Fatalities in Mandatory Helmet Use States from the 1994 Motorcycle Statistical Annual, Motorcycle Industry Council.

Reported Accidents Fatalities0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Mandatory Helmet UseVoluntary Helmet Use

The CDC admits death rate higher for helmeted riders

• In a January 27, 2014 letter to Congressman Thomas E. Petri, the CDC states that in 2010 41% of motorcycle fatalities were not wearing helmets. That means that 59% percent of motorcycle fatalities were wearing helmets.

Deaths Wearing Helmets Deaths Without Helmet0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

National Motorcycle Fatalities

Showing Deaths Wearing Helmets Vs. Deaths Without Helmets

More deaths per accident with helmet law. As shown by data from Maryland Dept. of Transportation figures.

Under Maryland’s helmet law, while accidents have declined (which helmets have no effect on). The Death to Accident ratio increased by 1.04%.

Helmet Manufacturer Quotes

• “The speed of impact with a heavy helmet when you don’t hit something with your head is important, as the heavier helmet stretches your neck more, with more risk of neck injuries.”

• Racer’s Market (helmet manufacturer)

NHTSA FACT*

•Between 2008 and 2012, 93% of motorcycle fatalities in Washington were wearing helmets.

• *NHTSA report Washington State Traffic Safety 2008-2012

A 2011 NHTSA FACT*

Helmets are estimated to only be 37-percent effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcycle riders.

*NHTSA 2012 Traffic Safety Facts

NHSTA FACT

• Roughly four out of five (81%) fatalities among helmeted motorcyclists are the result of injuries to other parts of the body than the head.

Center for Disease Control Data

• 29% of all automobile accidents result in some form of traumatic brain injury (TBI). While only 23% of all motorcycle accidents result in some form of TBI.

• Yet only motorcyclists are mandated in Washington State to wear a helmet.

Conclusions

• More than half of head injuries result from automobile accidents.

• Most motorcycle fatalities are due to injuries other than to the head.

• Motorcycle helmets are only effective in slightly more than one in three cases.

• Motorcycle helmets are easily damaged by low velocity impacts that destroy their effectiveness.

Conclusions

• By mandating universal motorcycle helmet laws on a minority of its citizens; while not equally mandating similar helmet laws on the majority of citizens with a higher rate of head injuries, Washington State would seem to be in violation of the US Fourteenth Amendments “Equal Protection” clause.

• Why are only motorcyclists mandated to wear fragile and ineffective helmets?

Copyright 2016 Brian R. Lange