GHSA Accident data for 2011

[gadget]

http://www.ghsa.org/html/media/press...otorcycle.html

Helmets are proven to be 37 percent effective at preventing fatal injuries to motorcycle operators and 41 percent effective for passengers. NHTSA estimates that helmets saved 1,829 motorcyclists’ lives in 2008 and another 822 of the unhelmeted motorcyclists who died in that year would have survived had they worn helmets.

Some may find this article interesting.

[slaphappytoys]

As a side note http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811208.pdf

[SprintPoser]

Unfortunately, neither you, me, us, nor that study is ever going to get through to the people that choose to "ride free".

Like any study or statistic, those people will skew the output to suit their needs in whatever way works for them. It's a losing battle too, as more states repeal helmet laws and we see the rapid rise in no-helmet-for-me riders. Some of my coworkers in RI, CT and other states nationwide, who are otherwise brilliant people, ride helmetless all the time.

Some men you just can't reach.

[pontifex]

I learned helmets are useless from The League:

El Cunado: Hey! Thinking is pointless like motorcycle helmets.
Ruxin: Motorycle helmets are pointless?
El Cunado:There is no medical proof that motorcycle helmets save lives.
Ruxin: How many friends have you lost in motorcycle accidents?
El Cunado: Pffff Nine. But none of them died from head trauma, all of them died from massive spine trauma.

[Falko]

Skewed argument, that's like saying seatbelts are effective...

[aldend123]

Reduce alcohol impairment: In 2010, 29 percent of fatally injured riders had a blood alcohol concentration at or above the legal limit of .08, the highest of all motorists.

I'm still surprised how common alcohol is in motorcycle deaths. Blows me away. And this is not the first or the second source I've seen citing data about it.

Though I'm equally as surprised how many guys stop on a state border just to remove the helmet. But I also believe it's your life/business and you want to crack the watermelon open, or scramble your eggs go for it. I just ask that you have adequette health and life insurance.