Current Concerns

There has been increased concerns about the numbers of riders that have died in crashes after the 2000 repeal. The statistics were gathered by various research groups for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

"A post law change survey, done in 2002, (Turner and Hagelin, 2004) found 47 percent compliant helmet use, 6 percent noncompliant helmet use and 47 percent no helmet use. These results indicate that use of compliant helmets has declined following the law change while wearing noncompliant helmets has largely been abandoned."

There are other factors beyond not wearing a helmet for increased serious injury and deaths caused by crashes. Though most of the data I had gathered illustrated a cross-section of riders who did and did not "choose" to wear a helmet, I will use some personal observations I have made.

Everyone is aware that in Florida, it is more likely to ride anytime of the year. This is especially true during the winter months, when there is increase traffic due to the influx of "Snow birds" that swarm the state, particularly the coastal areas. In all the statistical data I found, there were no references to seasonal changes in traffic. In these seasonal changes of traffic, there are motorists who are semi-aware of their surroundings on the road because they are new to the area. This increases the risks for the avid biker who rides on a daily basis on these roads.

Another observation I have witnessed at bike rallies or bike nights, that some bikers will peel out of a place with no helmet and inebriated. Is it possible that these are the people that feed the negative statistics?