Annual cost savings in US states with universal motorcycle helmet laws were nearly four times greater (per registered motorcycle) than in states without these comprehensive laws, according to a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report study released by the 5936 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Universal helmet laws require that motorcycle riders and passengers wear a helmet every time they ride.
Annual costs saved from helmet use, in terms of medical, productivity, and other costs, ranged from a high of US$394 million in California (which has a universal helmet law) to a low of $2.6 million in New Mexico (which has a partial law). Partial helmet laws require that only certain riders, such as those under age 21, must wear a helmet. As of last month, 19 US states and the District of Columbia had universal helmet laws, 28 states had partial helmet laws, and three states had no helmet law.
Universal helmet laws result in cost savings by increasing helmet use among riders and passengers, which reduces crash-related injuries and deaths. According to a CDC analysis of fatal crash data from 2008 to 2010, 12 per cent of motorcyclists in states with universal helmet laws were not wearing helmets. In comparison, 64 per cent of riders were not wearing helmets in states with partial helmet laws, and 79 per cent of riders were not wearing helmets in states with no helmet laws.
“Increasing motorcycle helmet use can save lives and money,” said CDC director Dr Thomas R. Frieden. “In 2010, more than $3 billion in economic costs were saved due to helmet use in the United States. Another $1.4 billion could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.”
Helmets prevent 37 per cent of crash deaths among riders and 41 per cent among passengers. They also prevent 13 per cent of serious injuries and eight per cent of minor injuries to riders and passengers.
For the study, CDC researchers analysed data from two national sources: 2008-2010 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data and 2010 data on economic costs saved by motorcycle helmet use, both from the834 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Fatal crash data from FARS provide an accurate means of determining in each state whether riders wore helmets at the time of these severe crashes. Cost savings estimates included medical and emergency services costs, work-related and household productivity losses, insurance administration costs, and legal costs resulting from deaths and injuries from motorcycle crashes.
CDC is also releasing an updated version of Motorcycle Safety: How To Save Lives and Save Money (Motorcycle Safety Guide), designed to convey evidence-based motorcycle safety information in an easy-to-use format.
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Annual costs saved from helmet use, in terms of medical, productivity, and other costs, ranged from a high of US$394 million in California (which has a universal helmet law) to a low of $2.6 million in New Mexico (which has a partial law). Partial helmet laws require that only certain riders, such as those under age 21, must wear a helmet. As of last month, 19 US states and the District of Columbia had universal helmet laws, 28 states had partial helmet laws, and three states had no helmet law.
Universal helmet laws result in cost savings by increasing helmet use among riders and passengers, which reduces crash-related injuries and deaths. According to a CDC analysis of fatal crash data from 2008 to 2010, 12 per cent of motorcyclists in states with universal helmet laws were not wearing helmets. In comparison, 64 per cent of riders were not wearing helmets in states with partial helmet laws, and 79 per cent of riders were not wearing helmets in states with no helmet laws.
“Increasing motorcycle helmet use can save lives and money,” said CDC director Dr Thomas R. Frieden. “In 2010, more than $3 billion in economic costs were saved due to helmet use in the United States. Another $1.4 billion could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.”
Helmets prevent 37 per cent of crash deaths among riders and 41 per cent among passengers. They also prevent 13 per cent of serious injuries and eight per cent of minor injuries to riders and passengers.
For the study, CDC researchers analysed data from two national sources: 2008-2010 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data and 2010 data on economic costs saved by motorcycle helmet use, both from the
CDC is also releasing an updated version of Motorcycle Safety: How To Save Lives and Save Money (Motorcycle Safety Guide), designed to convey evidence-based motorcycle safety information in an easy-to-use format.
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