Use of DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets reached 64 percent in 2014, statistically unchanged from 60 percent in 2013. This result is from the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS), the only survey that provides nationwide probability-based observed data on motorcycle helmet use in the United States. The NOPUS is conducted by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Figure 1 shows the trend of motorcycle helmet use since the NOPUS began in 1994. Figure 2 shows the percentages of motorcyclists using DOT-compliant helmets, non-compliant helmets, and no helmet in 2013 and 2014. The 2014 survey also found the following: * Helmet use among motorcyclists on expressways increased significantly to 81 percent, up from 64 percent in 2013 (Table 1). * Helmet use among motorcyclists in the Southern states increased significantly to 78 percent, up from 65 percent in 2013 (Table 1). * Use of non-compliant motorcycle helmets decreased significantly to 5 percent, from 7 percent in 2013 (Table 2). * Helmet use in 2014 continued to be significantly higher in states that require all motorcyclists to be helmeted than in other states. (Author/publisher)
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