The document discusses Washington State's mandatory motorcycle helmet law and questions its effectiveness. It summarizes several studies that found motorcycle accidents account for a minority of head injuries compared to automobiles. Helmet testing standards are outlined that show helmets can be destroyed from low-speed impacts. Data is presented finding higher death rates in states with helmet laws and that most motorcycle fatalities involve injuries other than to the head. The conclusions argue helmets may provide little protection and question why only motorcyclists face a mandate.

1. Washington State’s Mandatory
Helmet Law
Is it really even safe?

2. San Diego County Head Injury Study*
Automobiles 53%
Non-vehicle, Non-
bike 16%
Vehicle//
Pedestrian 15%
Motorcycle10%
Bicycle
6%
Of all sources
of head injuries,
only 10% were
related to
motorcycles, while
53% were related
to automobiles.
Yet who is forced
to wear helmets?
*University of California San Diego 1978 study

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.
Helmets
Tested
1540
Helmets
Passed
595
Helmets
Failed
945
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
DOT Helmet Compliance Rates
1980-2008

9. 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.
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Reported Accidents Fatalities
Mandatory Helmet Use
Voluntary Helmet Use

10. 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.
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Deaths Wearing Helmets Deaths Without Helmet
National Motorcycle Fatalities
Showing Deaths Wearing Helmets Vs. Deaths Without Helmets

11. 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%.

12. 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)

13. NHTSA FACT*
•Between 2008 and 2012,
93% of motorcycle
fatalities in Washington
were wearing helmets.
• *NHTSA report Washington State Traffic Safety 2008-2012

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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?

19. Copyright 2016 Brian R. Lange