Michigan Helmet Law

[King Vitamin]

Apparently, riders over 21 in Michigan are no longer required by law to wear a helmet.

I am sure that this will result in an extra dozen fatalities over the next year.

[M143]

Originally Posted by King Vitamin

Apparently, riders over 21 in Michigan are no longer required by law to wear a helmet.

I am sure that this will result in an extra dozen fatalities over the next year.

ok, I know better but...what makes you so sure?

[Hoofhearted]

Too bad it wasn't Minnesota that repealed their helmet law. Then the state nickname could be changed to "the land of 10,000 organ donors".

[Monkeyshines]

Originally Posted by Hoofhearted

Too bad it wasn't Minnesota that repealed their helmet law. Then the state nickname could be changed to "the land of 10,000 organ donors".

nice

[King Vitamin]

Originally Posted by M143

ok, I know better but...what makes you so sure?

It's just a guess, of course, but I did find these facts:

* Helmets are 37% effective in preventing fatalities for riders, 41% for passengers.
* There are about 8,000 registered motorcycles in Michigan.
* In 2008, 120 Michigan riders wrecked and died.
* 90% of those were wearing helmets.

How many will die as a result of not wearing helmets depends on lots of stuff, of course, but I think it is a reasonable assumption that making them optional will result in decreased usage among certain groups, most notably Peter Fonda wannabes and backwards-ball-cap wearing stuntas who want everyone to see how cool and badass they look. Of the two groups, obviously the stuntas are far likelier to eat pavement, but any bareheaded rider going down is at greater risk of death than a helmeted rider.

So my S.W.A.G. is 12 extra riders taking a dirt nap because of the repeal of the law.

Readers with actual knowledge of statistics are free to chime in with the real numbers, should they so desire.

[M143]

Originally Posted by King Vitamin

It's just a guess, of course, but I did find these facts:

* Helmets are 37% effective in preventing fatalities for riders, 41% for passengers.
* There are about 8,000 registered motorcycles in Michigan.
* In 2008, 120 Michigan riders wrecked and died.
* 90% of those were wearing helmets.

How many will die as a result of not wearing helmets depends on lots of stuff, of course, but I think it is a reasonable assumption that making them optional will result in decreased usage among certain groups, most notably Peter Fonda wannabes and backwards-ball-cap wearing stuntas who want everyone to see how cool and badass they look. Of the two groups, obviously the stuntas are far likelier to eat pavement, but any bareheaded rider going down is at greater risk of death than a helmeted rider.

So my S.W.A.G. is 12 extra riders taking a dirt nap because of the repeal of

Readers with actual knowledge of statistics are free to chime in with the real numbers, should they so desire.

Thanx, I'll put this in my book of useless information, and try to forgive myself for responding to this.

[JC750]

Originally Posted by King Vitamin

Apparently, riders over 21 in Michigan are no longer required by law to wear a helmet.

I am sure that this will result in an extra dozen fatalities over the next year.

You have to be over 21 with MSF class or 2 years experience and carry $30,000 of additional medical coverage.Being a resident of the state I do not plan on riding without a helmet.I wonder how the law will be enforced? Will anybody not wearing a helmet be stopped and checked for the extra ins/ 2years experience? If that is the case it seems like a big hassle.

[fatfatboy]

Originally Posted by JC750

If that is the case it seems like a big hassle.

[alleycat8]

I live in Michigan. Sorry to see the helmet laws allow helmet free riding.
I will continue to use my helmet. My brains and life are too valuable to go without a helmet.
But... people should know how much their head is worth.
How many non fatal head injuries will there be?
How expensive will it be to keep coma patients alive?
I sure don't ever want to be comatose.

[ducbsa]

Sorry, Hoof, it was repealed here in 1977.

I'll bet I haven't ridden without a helmet since I had one stolen in 1983. The "milled" flat on the helmet I was wearing 3 years ago for my crash makes me pretty darn glad I chose to wear it.

Incidentally, we have 11,000 lakes.

Originally Posted by Hoofhearted

Too bad it wasn't Minnesota that repealed their helmet law. Then the state nickname could be changed to "the land of 10,000 organ donors".