Injury severity increases for Michigan motorcyclists

A new report by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) in the US reveals that injury severity has increased in the US state of Michigan following a change to helmet laws. The study is based on data taken from insurance claims and shows that these costs have increased substantially since the helmet law was changed in Michigan back in 2012. Previous to the law change motorcyclists in Michigan were required to wear helmets whilst riding, which had been in place for over 40 years. The law was changed and only m
June 6, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
A new report by the 5523 Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) in the US reveals that injury severity has increased in the US state of Michigan following a change to helmet laws. The study is based on data taken from insurance claims and shows that these costs have increased substantially since the helmet law was changed in Michigan back in 2012. Previous to the law change motorcyclists in Michigan were required to wear helmets whilst riding, which had been in place for over 40 years. The law was changed and only motorcyclists aged below 21 are now required to wear a helmet whilst riding. Motorcyclists aged 21 or over do not have to wear a helmet as long as they have held a motorcycle licence for two years or more or have passed a motorcycle-specific safety course, as well as holding US$20,000 worth of medical insurance. The change in Michigan’s helmet law caused a great deal of controversy when it was made, with some groups claiming it offered greater freedom for riders. The data shows that relaxing helmet laws for motorcyclists does increase accident severity, and rider fatality rates are expected to increase in Michigan as a result. Estimates by the 2467 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggest that helmets cut the risk of a motorcycle fatality by 37%. The data contrasts strongly with results from nearby states such as Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin where helmets are still required for riders.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Improving safety for vulnerable road users
    January 2, 2013
    Dutch-style cycle safety for other European nations – Mike Woof writes A recent event held in London during October was aimed at improving safety for vulnerable road users. Called Love London go Dutch, the event was intended to highlight some of the experience from Holland in reducing risk rates for vulnerable road users such as cyclists. Similar events were held in other UK cities, while other major European cities such as Paris that are seeing an increase in cycling also have a lot to learn from Dutch exp
    Read More
  • Thailand’s severe motorcycle safety problem
    April 8, 2021
    Thailand is looking to address its severe motorcycle safety problem.
    Read More
  • Many US bridges need repairs according to ARTBA analysis
    February 15, 2017
    Nearly 56,000 bridges in the US are listed as structurally deficient List, according to new analysis of Federal Data by American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). An analysis of the US Department of Transportation’s (US DOT) recently-released 2016 National Bridge Inventory data finds cars, trucks and school buses cross the nation’s 55,710 structurally compromised bridges 185 million times/day. About 1,900 are on the Interstate Highway System. State transportation departments have identifie
    Read More
  • Man’s best friend
    June 20, 2012
    Film of a motorcyclist in the southern US taking his dog with him to work on his Harley Davidson motorcycle has now been viewed widely on the internet. The man, a pistol-packing machinist, claims that the animal enjoys the journey. The dog, named Dog (pronounced Dawg in the biker’s southern drawl) has the important job of guarding the Hog (Hawg) until the end of the shift when the two return home. The wild ones are a frequent sight on the roads of the small town where they live, with small children waving a
    Read More

Highlighted Content