What Issue is Addressed by Motorcycle Helmets?
Some would say the answer is motorcycle safety. I would suggest that this is false. Motorcycle safety is the activity of riding a motorcycle and arriving safely and uninjured at your destination. A motorcycle helmet will not help you achieve this goal. Simply stated, the goal of safe riding is to keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up ! And that is precisely what we are doing! Maryland motorcycle riders have continuously improved their safety record by avoiding accidents and subsequent injuries and fatalities for many years. The number of motorcycle accidents in Maryland has decreased from 3182 in 1985 to 889 in 1996. Since the all-rider helmet law was passed in 1992, the number of motorcycle accidents decreased from 1417 in 1992 to 889 in 1996. It is no surprise to me that the number of fatalities has decreased as well. Motorcycle-related fatalities have decreased from 72 in 1985 to 55 in 1992, and finally 26 in 1996. Helmet law advocates would like us to believe that the red
