Helmet Use Increased Nationwide

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released their most recent statistics of Motorcycle Safety, Motorcycle Crashes and Fatalities from 2009. The data was compiled by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis demonstrated a substantial increase in helmet use by motorcyclists. However this increase in motorcycle use was higher in states that have a universal helmet use law. Utah is not one of them. Here are a few of the overall results:

  • In 2009, helmet use in States that have a universal helmet use law had an increase of 8% of motorcyclists wearing protective headgear.
  • Essentially, in states that require all motorists to wear helmets have an average of 86% of motorcyclists wearing helmets
  • Helmet use in states that do not have a universal helmet law have an average of 55% of motorcyclists that use helmets-that’s 33% lower!
  • 37% of fatal motorcycle accidents the biker was not wearing a helmet

These figures demonstrate that motorcyclists are more inclined to wear helmets if it is a law rather than to wear helmets because it is a well known fact that helmets save lives and reduce chances of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the case of a motorcycle accident. Protect yourself from being seriously injured in a motorcycle crashby voluntarily wearing a helmet.

Utah State Motorcycle Helmet Law

  • All persons and passengers riding motorcycles younger than 18 years of age are required to use a safety helmet.

Utah State Law on Lane Splitting:

41-6a-1502- Operation of Motorcycles on Public Highways

  • Motorcycles are allowed to operate 2 abreast in same lanes but no more than two.
  • A motorcyclist is entitled to full use of a lane.
  • A motor vehicle or other motorcyclist may not operate in a manner that deprives a motorcycle full use of lane.
  • The operator of a motorcycle may not over take or pass another motorcycle or vehicle that is traveling in the same lane being overtaken
  • Motorcyclists cannot operate between lanes of traffic or adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.

Be it recovering monies for time lost on the job, payment of medical bills, or repairing and/or replacing your motorcycle, our motorcycle injury attorneys have the know-how to insure the best possible result for your case. Contact us online or call us at 801-506-0800 (Main number), 801-224-2999 (Utah County) or 801-294-9500 (Davis County) to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal rights.<–>