Use of DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets was at 65.3 percent in 2016, not statistically different at the 0.05 level from 60.7 percent in 2015. 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 (NCSA) 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 2015 and 2016. The 2016 survey also found the following: * Helmet use continued to be significantly higher in States that require all motorcyclists to be helmeted than in other States (Figure 3). * Helmet use among motorcyclists in the western States increased significantly to 90.9 percent in 2016, up from 74.8 percent in 2015 (Table 1). * Non-compliant helmet use among motorcyclists riding alone decreased significantly to 7.7 percent in 2016, down from 11.8 percent in 2015 (Table 2). * Helmet use among motorcyclists travelling in medium speed traffic increased significantly to 68.5 percent in 2016, up from 52.3 percent in 2015 (Table 1). (Author/publisher)
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