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

How we analyzed data from fatal motorcycle accidents

Gannett News Service analyzed records of nearly 20,000 fatal motorcycle accidents in the National Highway Transportation Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) database. The records, which cover 2002 through 2006, contain detailed information about the circumstances of each accident, and the vehicles and the people involved.

The data originates with each state's government, which sends records of fatal accidents to Washington in a standard format. For an accident to be included in the federal database, it must be on a public roadway and lead to the death of at least one person within 30 days of the accident.

GNS paired the federal records with data on motorcycle registrations and state helmet laws to calculate death rates by state and over time. We also paired the federal records with a proprietary database that decodes Vehicle Identification Numbers to provide make and model information for some accident records.

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Originally published March 26, 2008

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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

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