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Motorcycle helmets and rider safety: A legislative crisis

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Abstract

Over the past four decades, motorcycle helmet laws within the United States have been in a state of flux and have been shaped by the conflicting influences of the federal government's initiatives to shape state policies and motorcycle advocates’ persistent lobbying efforts. Examination of individual state experiences with motorcycle helmet legislation demonstrates that universal motorcycle helmet laws effectively promote helmet use compliance, reduce morbidity and mortality in motorcycle crashes, and lower the health care costs and associated societal burdens of these crash victims. Motorcycle advocates have challenged the implementation of these laws and directly influenced the weakening or frank repeal of these laws to negative consequence. We offer this review as an educational resource to encourage and facilitate health care worker participation in legislative efforts to support implementation and maintenance of universal motorcycle helmet laws.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 2705 University Ave Apt 6, Madison, 53705, WI, USA

    Allison J Derrick

  2. Division of General Surgery, H4/732 Clinical Science Center, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, 53792-7375, WI, USA

    Lee D Faucher

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  1. Allison J Derrick
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  2. Lee D Faucher
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Additional information

The authors examine state motorcycle helmet laws in the United States, demonstrate their effectiveness, and tell how opponents have challenged their implementation leading to weakening or frank repeal.

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Derrick, A., Faucher, L. Motorcycle helmets and rider safety: A legislative crisis. J Public Health Pol 30, 226–242 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1057/jphp.2009.11

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