Motorcycle Fatalities Drop In Georgia, Which Has Strict Helmet Laws
Motorcyclists love feeling the wind as they speed through an empty road. And for this reason, many often avoid the use of a helmet, which restricts their freedom.
Riding motorcycles without helmets are rather common, both within the USA and other parts of the world. But if you are in Atlanta, it might get you into trouble.
Georgia is among the few states that have made it mandatory for all riders to wear helmets. Although road accidents are still common, there has been a significant reduction in the number of motorcycle fatalities in the state in recent years.
The Main Causes Of Motorcycle Fatalities
Motorcycle fatalities are caused by a variety of different factors. These may include unfavorable weather conditions, poor decisions taken by the rider or other motorists, consumption of alcohol, etc. But the most important factor is helmet use.
While several states have made helmet use mandatory for the whole or a part of the population, a few states like Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire are yet to come up with such laws.
Another major factor contributing to motorcycle deaths is the use of alcohol. According to a report by the Governors Highway Safety Association, in almost 25% of the total number of fatal motorcycle crashes in 2016, the riders were found to be drunk. Among riders of all types of vehicles, motorcycle riders show the highest rate of driving under the influence of alcohol.
The Benefits Of Strict Helmet Laws
As per statistics, helmet use has been found to be around 67% effective in reducing brain injury and around 37% effective in preventing motorcycle fatalities in case of accidents.
Pro-helmet forces, which include doctors, accident survivors, and insurance groups, have played an enormous role in advocating for the strict use of protective gear for motorcyclists. Their efforts have been successful in putting a check on the relaxation of helmet laws across the different states within the US.
The importance of such laws has also been highlighted by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to them, a universal helmet law is the single most effective measure that can help the states save both lives and money.
Georgia has a strict law in place regarding the use of helmets for motorcyclists. It states that no motorcycle operator or passenger (regardless of age) is allowed to ride if they are not wearing any protective headgear that complies with the standards set by the commissioner of public safety.
However, while Georgia was successful in implementing this law, the battle for a universal helmet law still remains to be fought.
The American Motorcyclist Association strongly recommends the voluntary use of helmets along with other protective gear including gloves and tough footwear. However, they are not in favor of universal helmet laws.
In a statement, the association had remarked that while they are not against laws that require minor riders and passengers to mandatorily wear helmets, they believe that the adults should have the right to voluntarily decide when they need to wear one.
Some Important Facts
While a large percentage of the motorcycle fatalities in the past had consisted of young inexperienced riders or minors, there has been a considerable shift in recent years. In the period between 2013-2017, people aged over 40 years comprised the major share of fatalities across the US.
According to statistics, around 55% of motorcycle deaths in 2013 were from this age group. The figures for 2014-2016 stand at 54%. The average age of the motorcyclists killed in crashes during this period ranged between 42-43 years.
Summing Up
Strict helmet laws are necessary to check the number of motorcycle fatalities in the US. Unless a uniform law comes into effect for this purpose, it won’t be easy to deal with the number of fatalities arising from accidents.
In case you have experienced any such unfortunate event, make sure you reach out to a reliable Atlanta motorcycle accident attorney for assistance.
