It has been said that seatbelts save lives in car accidents. The same can be said for wearing helmets while operating a motorcycle.
However, Pennsylvania retracted its mandatory helmet law in 2003. In Pennsylvania, if someone is 21 years or older, has been licensed to drive a motorcycle for over two years, or has taken the approved safety course, the motorcyclist is not required to wear a helmet.
The same rules apply to the passenger of a motorcycle. If a passenger is over 21 and the operator of the motorcycle is not legally required to wear a helmet, the passenger is not mandated to wear one either. It is important to note that operators who are under 21 or have a rider’s permit are legally required to wear a helmet while riding on a motorcycle.
PennDOT reports that since 2003, the rate of fatal motorcycle accidents increased by 35%. According to 2012 data, 210 individuals died in motorcycle crashes and 104 of those victims were not wearing helmets. Head injuries from motorcycle accidents have increased tremendously since 2003. Dr. David Okonkwo, clinical director of UPMC Presbyterian’s Brain Trauma Research Center, reports that operating a motorcycle without a helmet significantly increases the chances of death, as well as head and neck injuries. This issue continues to be debated among motorcyclists and lawmakers.
Motorcyclists feel that it should be an individual’s choice to wear a helmet and not a government mandate. Many lawmakers want the public to understand that when riders choose to not wear a motorcycle helmet, this type of irresponsible behavior can affect their healthcare costs, premiums, and tax dollars. While this debate continues, many officials hope that increasing awareness of motorcycle safety will ensure that motorcyclists take every precaution available to them to avoid serious injuries from a motorcycle accident.
The bottom line is that motorcycle riders who wear helmets suffer less severe head injuries than those who don’t wear helmets, because the helmet offers the only protection the rider has if they collide with another vehicle or object.
