Risky ride: More motorcycle deaths fuel new debate over helmet laws

On the Web: Sites for more information

By GANNETT NEWS SERVICE

www.ntsb.gov/alerts/SA_012.pdf, National Transportation Safety Board safety alert: Alarming Rise in Motorcycle Deaths

www.iihs.org/laws/HelmetUseCurrent.aspx, state motorcycle helmet laws (updated March 2008), from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

www.iihs.org/research/qanda/helmet_use.html, Q and A on motorcycle helmet laws from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

www.ntsb.gov/Pressrel/2007/070911b.htm, September 2007 press release announcing National Transportation Safety Board recommendation that states adopt helmet laws

www.msf-usa.org/downloads/helmet_CSI.pdf, "What You Should Know About Motorcycle Helmets," from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

www.nhtsa.gov, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. To see the U.S. Transportation Department plan for reducing motorcycle fatalities (October 2007), type "motorcycle action plan" into search field, then click on link to report.

www.iii.org/media/hottopics/insurance/motorcycle, March 2008 fact sheet on motorcycle crashes from the Insurance Information Institute.

www.bikersrights.com/helmets.html, "Helmet Issues," from Bikers Rights online

www.mrf.org/pdf/MRF_FactOrFiction.pdf, "Motorcycle Statistics, Fact of Fiction?" from the Motorcycle Riders Foundation

www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/positions/helmet.asp, American Motorcyclist Association position paper on helmet use.

http://usff.com/hldlhome.html, Helmet Law Defense League

Print this article   |   E-mail this article to a friend

Originally published March 26, 2008

Report home page

Story index

» Motorcycle deaths rose as states rolled back helmet laws

» Major findings at a glance

» How we analyzed data from fatal motorcycle accidents

» Sportbikes breed culture of speed and stunts

» Bikers, helmet advocates debate medical costs

» The right helmet can save a life

» Motorcycle safety tips

» High court upheld helmet law

» Helmet laws are widespread overseas

» On the Web: Sites for more information

USA TODAY editorials

» USA TODAY view: Motorcycle madness

» Opposing view: Helmet laws don't work

Searchable database

Explore motorcycle accident reports for every U.S. county from 2002 to 2006. Find out whether bikers' involved where wearing helmets and other data.

» Start searching the database

Tip: Use the back button or links within the database to return to this report.

Videos

» Helmet safety

Wearing a helmet is the law in many states if you want to ride a motorcycle, but some bikers want the freedom to choose.

» Safety advice

Motorcycle instructors from Apex Cycle Education give safety advice for new riders.

» Stunt riders

Stunt riders from the Guilty Ones motorcycle club demonstrate their skills and talk about what it takes to get into the sport.

Discussion center

Sound off about motorcycle safety in our discussion forum. Share your motorcycle accident experiences and tell us whether you think wearing helmets should be required by law. You also can create your own discussion topics.

» Join the conversation

Tip: Use the back button or links within the forum to return to this report.

Graphics

All graphics open in pop-up windows.

» Map: Highest motorcycle deaths by state in 2006

» Chart: When motorcycle deaths are most likely to occur

» Chart: Motorcycle deaths from 1993 to 2006

» Chart: Motorcycle deaths compared to motorcycle helmet use