South Carolina Motorcycle Rights Association

Freedom Of Choice
Wear A Helmet If You Want To Wear One

Earlier today, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released a study claiming that since the mid-1970s more than 20,000 motorcyclists would have survived crashes had they been wearing a helmet. In total, the IIHS report says, 11% of motorcyclist fatalities over nearly 50 years would have been prevented by helmet usage.

While we understand and respect the mission of the IIHS to reduce traffic injuries, fatalities and property damage, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) finds it necessary to point out three principal tenets of our position on helmet usage. First, since our creation, the MRF remains steadfast in the belief that those who ride should decide. Fundamentally, we believe that each rider is in the best position to evaluate the choices they make when riding, which includes the choice to wear a helmet or not, as well as the type of helmet.

Second, the absence of a helmet mandate in the 33 states with freedom of choice does not force motorcyclists to ride helmetless. These choice states simply allow a rider to make their own decision. Thousands of riders in states that do not have helmet mandates ride with a helmet and we support their right to do so. Additionally, states with universal helmet laws do not claim 100% compliance.

Finally, a primary part of our legislative agenda and messaging is crash avoidance. A crash that does not happen is always safer than a crash that occurs. As such, focusing on avoiding or preventing a crash before it happens is far more valuable than making a crash “safer.” For this reason, the MRF has always supported rider training and motorcycle awareness as proactive measures.

This report demonstrates that motorcyclist fatalities are a growing concern for policymakers. While the MRF and IIHS view this topic differently, we will continue to work on areas where we find common ground.

Let Those Who Ride Decide