NTSB CHAIRMAN STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF MOTORCYCLE SAFETY, DOT FMVSS 218-COMPLIANT HELMETS

[NTSB Press Releases <NTSBPressReleases@xxxxxxxx>]

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                      NTSB PRESS RELEASE
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National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2008
SB-08-16

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NTSB CHAIRMAN STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF MOTORCYCLE SAFETY, 
DOT FMVSS 218-COMPLIANT HELMETS


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Washington, DC -- As motorcyclists throughout the country 
observe May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness month, National 
Transportation Safety Board Chairman Mark V. Rosenker 
stresses the need for motorcycle safety and reminds 
motorcyclists that Department of Transportation Federal 
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218-compliant helmets 
reduce injuries and save lives.  

Since 1997, motorcycle fatalities have increased 127 
percent.  Annually, the number of motorcycle deaths is more 
than double the number of people killed in all aviation, 
rail, marine, and pipeline accidents combined.  

4,810 motorcyclists died in crashes in 2006.  Approximately 
41 percent (1,957) of those killed were not wearing a 
helmet.

"The facts are very clear- head injuries are a leading cause 
of deaths in motorcycle crashes," said NTSB Chairman Mark V. 
Rosenker. "The most important step riders can take in terms 
of protecting themselves and staying alive is to wear a DOT- 
compliant helmet every time they ride." DOT-compliant 
helmets are designed with a hard outer shell, an impact-
attenuating liner, and a retention system to protect the 
head, especially the brain, in a variety of impact 
scenarios. 

Currently, 20 States and the District of Columbia have 
universal helmet laws.  Twenty-seven States have partial 
laws, and 3 States (Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire) do 
not have any helmet law.

"Fatalities in all other modes of transportation have 
decreased.  It is imperative that we reduce the number of 
motorcycle fatalities and injuries immediately," urged 
Rosenker

In 2006, the Safety Board held a public forum and gathered 
information on ongoing motorcycle research and initiatives, 
as well as countermeasures that may reduce the likelihood of 
motorcycle accidents and fatalities. 

In September 2007, the Safety Board held a Board meeting on 
motorcycle safety and issued the following recommendations 
regarding motorcycle helmets:

To the three states with no motorcycle helmet laws:

Require that all persons shall wear a Department of 
Transportation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218-
compliant motorcycle helmet while riding (operating) or as a 
passenger on any motorcycle.

To the 27 states and 1 territory with partial motorcycle 
helmet laws: 

Amend current laws to require that all persons shall wear a 
Department of Transportation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard 218-compliant motorcycle helmet while riding 
(operating) or as a passenger on any motorcycle.

To the 8 states, the District of Columbia, and the 4 
territories with universal motorcycle helmet 
laws/regulations not specifically requiring FMVSS 218- 
compliant helmets: 

Amend current laws to specify that all persons shall wear a 
Department of Transportation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard 218-compliant motorcycle helmet while riding 
(operating) or as a passenger on any motorcycle.

"Just like seat belts for passenger vehicle occupants, 
helmets are the number one defense against injury and death 
in the event of a motorcycle crash.  I urge all riders to 
use a DOT compliant helmet whenever traveling on their 
motorcycles." Rosenker said. 

The Safety Board also issued recommendations to address 
other motorcycle safety countermeasures and to improve data 
collection on motorcycle accident statistics.

To the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

Reprioritize the National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety 
recommendations based on objective criteria, including known 
safety outcomes.

Following completion of the reprioritization of the National 
Agenda for Motorcycle Safety, implement an action plan for 
states and others, such as federal agencies, manufacturers, 
insurance organizations, and advocacy groups, to carry out 
those recommendations that are determined to be of high 
priority. 

To the Federal Highway Administration:

Following the 2007 Motorcycle Travel Symposium, develop 
guidelines for the states to use to gather accurate 
motorcycle registrations and motorcycle vehicle miles 
traveled data. The guidelines should include information on 
the various methods to collect registrations and vehicle 
miles traveled data and how these methods can be put into 
practice. 

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NTSB Media Contact:  Terry Williams, 202-314-6100
williat@xxxxxxxx
                                       






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