autoevolution
 

Motorcyclist Deaths on a Solid Rise in Helmet-Free Michigan

The number of helmetless deaths rose in Michigan since 2012 when the motorcycle helmet law was repealed, and compared to the figures before the abolishment of the law, they are downright scary.
Tom Cruise without a helmet in Top Gun 1 photo
Photo: Youtube capture
Even faced with pretty obvious statistical evidence, those who are backing riding a motorcycle without wearing a helmet say that the data is inconclusive and might be related solely to the overall increase in the number of bikes on the road in Michigan.

It looks like some fellows would merrily choose to ignore such numbers. According to Detroit News, only five in 109 motorcyclist deaths in 2011, before the law was repealed, were not wearing a helmet. In 2015, from the 138 riders that lost their lives on the roads of Michigan, no less than 56 were helmetless.

Those who still support riding without wearing crash helmets say that the increase in the number of deaths is only correlated with the fact that more people are riding motorcycles these days than in 2011.

Even so, the proportions are not consistent. From 109 to 138 motorcycle fatalities, the increase is 26.6%, whereas from 5 to 56 unhelmeted dead riders, the increase is a staggering 1120%.

We do know that the state of Michigan has around 490,427 licensed riders but we don't have exact data as to how many people had a motorcycle license back in 2011. Still, we could bet good money on the fact that not even those two figures would show a coherent correlation with the rest.

It looks like the helmet/no helmet debate isn't going anywhere anytime soon, as some riders would gladly bring forth the "fundamental freedom" thing each time when lids come into the discussion. At least, in Michigan, riders who choose to go out on their bikes without a helmet are "required to carry at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits on their insurance policies," the same source adds.

It would be funny to see how THIS money correlates with what the state spends on a rider that becomes severely injured, loses one or more limbs, or becomes paraplegic. We bet that the $20,000 are not even scratching the surface...
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories