- Department of Transportation tests helmets by a
6-foot vertical drop impacting at 13.66 mph. Even
at those low impacts, 52% of all helmets tested
by DOT have failed and only one helmet has passed
since 1984. (DOT Helmet Test Reports 1974-1980)
- Of the top 12 states with the best motorcycle
safety records (fatalities per 10,000
registrations), only one has a helmet law. On the
other hand, fully half of the worst safety
records are helmet law states. (MSF and
Motorcycle Industry Council data from 1986)
- A Kansas Health and Environment report to NHTSA
stated "... we have found no evidence that
the death rate for motorcycle accidents has
increased in Kansas as a result of the repeal of
the helmet law. We also have found no such
evidence on a national basis."
Label inside new helmet,
1990
"WARNING: No protective head gear can
protect the wearer against foreseeable impacts. This
helmet is Not designed to provide neck or lower head
protection. This helmet exceeds Federal Standard
FMVSS218: Even so, death or severe injury may result
from impacts at speeds as low as 15 mph while wearing
a helmet."
"It is concluded that: 1) motorcycle helmets have
no statistically significant effect on probability of
fatality, and 2) past a critical impact speed, helmets
increase the severity of neck injury." (Dr. Jonathan
Goldstein, Bowdoin College)
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