Helmet use by motorcyclists was observed in late 1978 in cities in six U.S. state with varying legal requirements regarding their use. In two cities (Baltimore, Maryland and Miami, Florida) in which all motorcyclists are legally required to wear helmets, virtually all wore helmets. In three cities (New Orleans, Louisiana; Phoenix, Arizona; Houston, Texas) where helmet use laws requiring use by all motorcyclists were changed in 1976 or 1977 so that use is required only by those less than 18 years old, wearing rates were 39 percent, 46 percent, and 63 percent, respectively. In Los Angeles, California, which has never had a law requiring helmet use, 46, percent wore helmets. Based on these survey results, and on the known efficacy of helmets in reducing injuries to motorcyclists, the repeal of helmet laws that occurred in 26 states in 1976-1978 can be expected to result in major increases in motorcyclist deaths in succeeding years. (Author).
Abstract