Florida motorcycle helmet use observational survey and trend analysis.

This report presents the results of a study to analyze motorcycling trends in Florida. Effective July 1, 2000, Florida motorcyclists over 21 years of age could legally ride helmet-less providing they carry at least $10,000 in insurance to cover medical costs incurred as a result of a crash. The goals of the study were to: 1) conduct a statewide motorcycle helmet use observational survey; 2) compile national and Florida data related to vehicle miles of travel (VMT), motorcycle registrations, crashes, injuries, fatalities, helmet use, insurance, and helmet and bike sales to examine emerging trends; 3) examine changes in crashes, injuries and helmet use before and after the Florida helmet law change; 4) compile Florida trauma center data and examine trends related to injury severity and helmet use, and subsequent hospital charges for treating crash-involved motorcyclists before and after the motorcycle helmet law change; and 5) examine enforcement and compliance issues relating to the insurance and helmet use requirements of the motorcycle helmet law among Florida law enforcement agencies. In 2002, Florida's observed helmet use rate was 52.7% compared to 99.5% in 1998. Observed novelty helmet use dropped from 40.2% in 1998 to 5.7% in 2002. Motorcycle registrations and motorcycle VMT in Florida increased after the motorcycle helmet law change. Motorcycle crashes, as well as the total number of injury and fatal crashes, increased from the period before the helmet law change to the period following the helmet law change, with the largest percent increase seen in fatal crashes. Crash rates and injury rates per registered motorcycle and per VMT declined with the exception of fatal crash rates. Findings show that average hospital costs to treat all types of injuries for both helmeted and non-helmeted motorcycle crash patients often exceed the $10,000 insurance requirement. Major challenges to enforcing the helmet law were not being able to verify the amount of insurance coverage and not being able to verify the validity of insurance according to a survey of Florida law enforcement agencies.