Use of DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets increased significantly to 66 percent in 2011, up from 54 percent in 2010, based on the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS). The NOPUS is the only survey that provides nationwide probability-based observed data on helmet use in the United States and is conducted annually by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis of the 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, noncompliant helmets, and no helmet in 2010 and 2011. It shows that the DOT-compliant helmet use increased in 2011 while the percentages of motorcyclists who were wearing non-compliant helmets or who were not wearing any helmet decreased. The 2011 survey also found the following: * The increases in helmet use in 2011 occurred in many motorcyclist groups, including motorcycle riders, in States without universal helmet laws, on surface streets, in rural areas, and during weekends (Table 1). * Helmet use in the Northeast increased significantly to 66 percent in 2011 from 54 percent in 2010 (Figure 3). (Author/publisher)
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