Use of DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets1 was 60.7 percent in 2015, statistically unchanged from 64.3 percent in 2014. 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 motorcycle helmet use trend since 2000. Figure 2 shows the percentages of motorcyclists using DOT-compliant helmets, non-compliant helmets, and no helmet in 2014 and 2015. The 2015 survey also found the following: - Helmet use among motorcyclists in the north-eastern States increased significantly to 77.2 percent, up from 56.1 percent in 2014. - Use of non-compliant motorcycle helmets increased significantly to 10.6 percent, up from 4.8 percent in 2014. - Helmet use continued to be significantly higher in States that require all motorcyclists to be helmeted than in other States. - Helmet use among motorcyclists traveling in moderately dense traffic decreased significantly to 53.6 percent, from 72.8 percent in 2014. (Author/publisher)
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