Use of DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets1 was 65.2 percent in 2017, not statistically different at the 0.05 level from 65.3 percent in 2016. 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. The 2017 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; helmet use among motorcyclists on expressways increased significantly to 88.9 percent in 2017, up from 69.8 percent in 2016; helmet use among motorcyclists traveling in fast traffic increased significantly to 80.1 percent in 2017, up from 66.7 percent in 2016; helmet use among motorcyclists traveling in heavy traffic increased significantly to 78.5 percent in 2017, up from 64.0 percent in 2016. (Author/publisher)
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