Use of DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets decreased significantly to 54 percent in 2010 from 67 percent in 2009. This result is from the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS), which is the only survey that provides nationwide probability-based observed data on helmet use in the United States. The NOPUS is conducted by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The trend of motorcycle helmet use since 1994 is shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 shows the percentages of motorcyclists who were using DOT-compliant helmets, non-compliant helmets, and no helmets in 2009 and 2010. It shows that as DOT-compliant helmet use decreased in 2010, the percentage of motorcyclists who were not wearing any helmets increased from 24 percent in 2009 to 32 percent in 2010. The 2010 survey also found the following: * The decline in helmet use in 2010 occurred in many groups of motorcyclists, including motorcycle riders, passengers, in States with and without universal helmet laws, on surface streets, in the Midwest, in rural areas, and during weekdays and weekends. * Helmet use in the Midwest decreased by 24 percentage points to 43 percent in 2010. * Use of non-compliant helmets increased significantly in the West and during weekday rush hours. (Author/publisher)
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