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Unprotected Riders: Motorcycle Gear Impact & Helmet Laws

Learn about the impact of protective gear on motorcycle safety, helmet laws, and the alarming trends in fatalities and injuries among riders. Discover key insights on helmet types and gear use rates.

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Unprotected Riders: Motorcycle Gear Impact & Helmet Laws

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  1. Motorcycle Protective Gear: Are We Really Protected? Wayne State University Transportation Research Group Deborah. S. McAvoy, PE, PTOE

  2. Introduction – National Trends • Each Year Motorcycle Crashes Claim Thousands of Lives • Between 1995 and 2005 • Motor Vehicle Fatality Rates Decreased 4.4% • Motorcycle Fatality Rates Increased 6.5%

  3. Introduction – National Trends

  4. Introduction – National Trends • Each Year Tens of Thousands of Motorcycle Riders Suffer Injuries • Between 1995 and 2005 • Motor Vehicle Injury Rates Decreased 1.6% • Motorcycle Injury Rates Increased 2.9%

  5. Introduction – National Trends

  6. Introduction – Michigan Trends • 2005 Fatality Rates • Motorcycles: 16.0 fatalities per HMVMT • Motor Vehicles: 1.1 Fatalities per HMVMT • Between 1995 and 2005 • Motor Vehicle Fatalities Decreased 3.0% • Motorcycle Fatalities Increased 4.1%

  7. Introduction – Michigan Trends

  8. Introduction – Michigan Trends • Between 1995 and 2005 • Motor Vehicle Injuries Decreased 4.7% • Motorcycle Injuries Increased 2.2%

  9. Introduction – Michigan Trends

  10. Motorcycle Crashes • Rider is Not Protected by Motorcycle • Drivers of Motor Vehicles are Protected by the Vehicle • Enclosed Compartment • Sheet Metal • Air Bags • Safety Belts • Required for front-seat occupants per Michigan Vehicle Code Public Act 300 Section 257.710e

  11. Motorcycle Crashes • Only Protective Gear can Provide Barrier Between Rider and Roadway • Leather Jacket • Leather Pants • Above Ankle Boots • Gloves • Elbow/Shoulder Pads • Knee Pads • Goggles • Helmets • Required for per Michigan Vehicle Code Public Act 300 Section 257.658

  12. Motorcycle Helmets • Provide Protection • Serious Brain Injuries • Death • 20 States Require Use of Helmets • 27 States Require Use of Helmets for those Under 18 (Typically) • 3 States Don’t Require Any Helmets • Colorado, Illinois, Iowa

  13. Helmet Laws Impacts on States • After Repealing Full Helmet Use Law (Under 18 or 21 Required Only) • Kentucky’s Helmet Use Rate Dropped from 96% to 56% • Louisiana's Helmet Use Rate Dropped from 100% to 52% • Fatalities Increased by 170% Between 1997 and 2002 • Injuries Increased by 58% Between 1997 and 2002 • Arkansas’s Non-Helmeted Death Rates Increased from 39.6% to 75.5%

  14. Helmet Laws Impacts on States

  15. Helmet Laws Impacts on States • Five-year Before (1995-1999) and After (2000-2004) Helmet Law Repeal Study for Florida • Percent increase in Motorcycle Registration = 57.0% • Percent Increase in Motorcycle Fatalities = 99.4%

  16. Motorcycle Observational Survey • 1993 Helmet Use Rate Study (UMTRI) • 99.4% • Based upon 150 Motorcycle Rider Observations • 2006 Helmet Use Rate Study (WSU) • 99.4% • Based upon 2,274 Motorcycle Rider Observations

  17. Motorcycle Observational Survey • Protective Gear Use Rates • Only 15.1% Wear Proper Upper Body Protection • Only 1.8% Wear Proper Lower Body Protection

  18. Motorcycle Observational Survey • Protective Gear Use Rates

  19. Motorcycle Observational Survey • Protective Gear Use Rates

  20. Motorcycle Observational Survey • Helmet Types Observed • Half-Shell • Standard Open Face with Shield • Standard Open Face without Shield • Standard Full Face Helmet

  21. Motorcycle Observational Survey • Helmet Use by Type of Helmet • Half-Shell – Legal (DOT Approved) or Not?

  22. Half-Shell Helmet Issues • DOT approved Helmets • Meet Minimum Levels of Performance • Protect Head and Brain During Crash • Thick Inner Liner • Sturdy Chin Straps and Rivets • Weigh Three Pounds • No Protrusions • DOT Sticker on Outside Back of Helmet

  23. Half-Shell Helmet Issues • DOT Stickers are Sold Separately for Non-complying Helmets • Differentiating Between DOT Approved and Non-complying Helmets is Difficult in Visual Observations

  24. Conclusions • Motorcycle Riders in Michigan are NOT Truly Protected From Death or Severe Injury • 43.9% May Have Improper Helmets • 84.9% Wear Improper Upper Body Clothing • 12.0% Wear Shorts • 52.8% Wear Improper Foot Protection • 68.0% Do Not Wear Body Armor

  25. Conclusions • Michigan’s Actual Helmet (Proper) Use Rate May Be As Low As: 55.5%

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