Samenvatting
Between 1975 and 1984 over half of the States either repealed or weakened their laws requiring motorcyclists to wear safety helmets. The purpose of this study was to obtain a national estimate of the effect of these legislative changes on the motorcycle fatality rate over a 10 year period. Repeal of helmet use laws is estimated to in increase with a 10. 4% hot 33. 3% in the fatality rate. If not repealed an estimated 158 to 420 fewer motorcycle rider fatalities would have occurred in 1984.