Motorcycle helmet laws vary from state to state. While many states require all motorcycle operators to always wear protective head gear, Utah has a more relaxed helmet law. Minors operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle are required to wear helmets. Adult passengers and operators are allowed to ride without helmets.
Utah’s helmet law was not always this relaxed. In the 1970s, almost every state had laws requiring motorcycle riders to wear protective headgear. However, in the span of only ten years most states had either drastically reduced their helmet laws or completely repealed them. Now, less than half of the states in the country require motorcyclists to wear helmets.
Many motorcycle enthusiasts agree with Utah’s relaxed helmet law. Helmets, they argue, can severely impair a motorcycle operator’s driving ability. They believe that helmets are dangerous, as they impair hearing and visibility. Also, advocates against helmets argue that the weight and structure of a helmet can be damaging to a person’s neck, especially the necks of young riders.
Of course, research has also shown that helmets are one of the best safety measures a motorcyclist can take. It goes without saying that motorcyclists are more prone to serious injuries, especially to the head. Car and truck drivers are far more protected from deadly head trauma than motorcycle riders. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that motorcyclists are 21 times more likely to die in a traffic wreck than passengers riding in a car or truck.
Helmets are designed to reduce the risk of fatality. Statistics and research published by the NHTSA have found that helmets reduce the risk of fatality by 29%. Furthermore, they are 67% effective in preventing severe brain injuries, which are often permanent and life-altering. In 2003, an estimated 1,100 motorcyclists’ lives were saved due to helmets and an additional 600 lives could have been saved had the riders been wearing helmets.
Advocates for stricter helmet laws in Utah use other states to defend their argument. For example, California saw a 36% decrease in motorcycle fatalities the year after the state legislature passed a bill requiring the use of helmets. In addition, the rate of brain injury hospitalizations decreased by 50%. In comparison, Texas saw a 31% increase in motorcycle fatalities the year after its legislature repealed state helmet laws.
Beyond the argument of physical safety, advocates for helmet laws point to the monetary advantages of proper head protection. Brain injuries are the most common type of injury to motorcycle accident victims. The average medical cost for head wounds is about $43,000. However, the average medical cost for motorcycle victims without head wounds is only $15,000.
The debate about Utah’s helmet laws is likely to continue for a long time. If you are a motorcyclist, we suggest you strongly consider the benefits of wearing a helmet. Putting on a helmet could save your life.
If you would like to speak with an attorney about your motorcycle accident case, please contact the Christensen Law Firm P.L.L.C. at 801-506-0800 (Draper), 801-224-2999 (Orem), or 801-294-9500 (Bountiful) for expert legal advice.