March 9, 2018 – A report completed by Lidia P. Kostyniuk, Ph.D, P.E., Research Scientist, Emerita with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute calculating the reduction in monetary costs and deaths that would have been prevented in Michigan in 2015 if all riders involved in crashes would have worn a helmet.
Category: News Releases
Motorcycle Helmet Law Repeal Costs Lives and Millions of Dollars
March 9, 2018 – News article as published in the Ludington Daily News highlighting a recent report titled Estimate of Reduction in Deaths, Injuries, and Societal Costs in 2015 Michigan Motorcycle Crashes with Helmet Use which concludes “If helmets had been worn by all the crash-involved motorcyclists in 2015, monetary costs of motorcycle crashes would have been reduced by $28 million – $32 million, quality of life costs would have been reduced by $157 million – $169 million, and total societal costs would have been reduced by $185 – $201 million. Twenty-one deaths would have been prevented, and total societal costs of motorcycle crashes would have been lower by 10.5%-11.4%.”
The Tragic Consequences of Motorcycle Helmet Law Repeal: Five Michigan Specific Research Studies
A summary of five Michigan specific research reports which substantiate the negative consequences of repealing the Michigan all-rider helmet law. A version of this article was published as a guest in the Michigan Auto Law Blog.
Summary of Michigan Motorcyclist Crash Data
Summary of Michigan Motorcyclist Crash Data with a focus on the five year periods prior to and after the repeal of Michigan’s all-rider helmet law. A PowerPoint presentation prepared by SMARTER President Dan Petterson and presented at the June, 2017 meeting of the Michigan Lakeshore Traffic Safety committee. Also includes a summary of five research studies examining the repeal of the Michigan law.
The Price We Have Paid for a Small Freedom (to ride a motorcycle without a helmet).
The report provides Michigan motorcyclist crash data for 2016 and also for each year back to 2012, when Michigan representatives and senators voted and Governor Snyder supported the repeal of Michigan’s all-rider motorcycle helmet law. The data and the research studies support the readily available national and international research which shows helmets use works to reduce deaths and injuries in the event of a crash and when an all-rider helmet law is in effect almost every rider wears a helmet. A version of this article was published as a guest in the Michigan Auto Law Blog.
Statement of SMARTER President Dan Petterson.
A statement by Dan Petterson, an invitee to the January 22 press event sponsored by the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety at the National Press Club, Washington, D.C., on the release of the 2014 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws, urging lawmakers to support essential lifesaving all-rider helmet laws.
Q&A: CDC, U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg, and the AMA.
A SMARTER-prepared document to provide the motorcycling community with complete information regarding Walberg’s questions
SMARTER’s Letter to CDC Director Frieden.
An advisory letter stating that responsible motorcyclists and the professionals involved in the fight to save lives and prevent or reduce the seriousness of injuries need all the help available.
One Year Post Repeal: Where Do We Go From Here?
A news release from which excerpted comments were made by SMARTER at the April 10, 2013, news conference held at the Michigan Capitol by leading members of the Head First Coalition.
Motorcyclist Organizations Differ Over Recent Government Agency Announcements.
A news release cautions motorcyclists to consider source and motive before using information to make potentially life-altering decisions about riding safety.