Federal Agency Calls for Mandatory National Helmet Law

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is asking all states to enact a mandatory helmet law for all riders and passengers of motorcycles. The agency cites an increase in motorcycle fatalities over the last decade as the reason for the push for the mandatory law. The NTSB has no real legislative authority or power to enact such laws but instead relies upon its reputation and various recommendations it issues throughout the year.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, which represents the interests of motorcyclists around the country, claims the NTSB is relying on an infinitesimal sample size of motorcycle crashes to come to its conclusion that helmets are the answer.  The MRF charges that the NTSB has no real experience in motorcycle crash studies and should stay focused on issues like air, rail and maritime disasters.  It also points out that the NTSB has added motorcycle helmet laws to the agency's list of "10 most Wanted" safety improvements, despite having only studied six motorcycle crashes.

Meanwhile, motorcyclists are criticizing the NTSB for setting aside crash prevention strategies in favor of pushing for mandatory helmet laws, which do not prevent crashes.  In Illinois, there is already a poll asking if helmets should be mandatory.  Many ask, "if helmets were so good in preventing fatalities, then wouldn't states with mandatory laws have a much better fatality rate than those wihout the law or some modification of the law?"  In fact, there is very little significant difference between the two groups of states with regard to fatality rates.

The NTSB is urging states to enact helmet legislation just the same, even as some members of congress are asking NHTSA officials to abandon the push for helmet laws and concentrate on crash prevention and motorcycle rider education.

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