What Are The Motorcycle Helmet Law’s Pros And Cons? (All Solved!)

Last Updated on January 27, 2023 by Leepu Da Maxim

The advantages include the possibility of being protected at all times against traffic accidents or environmental problems and hazards. Among the most obvious disadvantages is the mandatory use of the helmet itself. This is a disadvantage when a scorching day can be felt inside the helmet or the discomfort of using a helmet without the correct size.

Key Takeaways

  • Wearing helmets while driving a bike can reduce the risk of fatal head injuries by up to 37%
  • A statistics show that motorcyclists are 30 times less likely to suffer severe or lethal injuries when wearing a helmet
  • The motorcycle helmet law forces the riders to wear helmet and it reduces various serious head injuries
  • Helmets are also effective at reducing the severity of other types of injuries, such as facial injuries 

Motorcycle Helmet Laws – Pros And Cons Chart

ProsCons
Motorcyclists have improved safetyThe motorcyclist must have a budget for the purchase of the helmet
Motorcyclists are 30 times less likely to suffer severe or lethal injuries Fines and penalties can be received for not wearing a helmet in most cases
Motorcyclists are less exposed to environmental hazards and airborne objectsA helmet can be too uncomfortable and too hot
A wide variety of helmets with innovative and pleasing designs are available to choose fromMany motorcyclists feel that a helmet is a fundamental restriction and lacks freedom.
Motorcycle helmet laws do not require the same people to wear helmets in all states.It takes many budgets to purchase a comfortable helmet with excellent features.

Are There Advantages To Motorcycle Helmet Laws?

Contrary to what some motorcyclists may want, there are many advantages to wearing a motorcycle helmet. These advantages are present in one state and can be felt throughout the United States. Either way, there are a set of laws that riders or primary motorcyclists need to comply with to avoid consequences or fines.

In some states, we can find laws that only require those under the age of 18 or 21 to wear motorcycle helmets. The regulations mandate that passengers or riders of a motorcycle use helmet that meets specific quality standards in the states.

The main advantage of these laws is that they force a rider or passenger on a motorcycle to be in a much safer position. Motorcyclists who do not wear helmets are 30 times more likely to suffer severe or fatal injuries in a traffic accident. So, the enforcement of these laws encourages and protects every motorcyclist.

However, traffic accidents are not the only danger motorcyclists may encounter. Some environmental hazards can harm the driving or the health of people on a motorcycle. It is a clear difference with other vehicles such as trucks or cars.

These types of enclosed vehicles protect themselves for the passengers and the driver. On the other hand, a motorcyclist is constantly exposed to the elements. Motorcycle helmet laws also make it possible to protect vision from flying objects that can impair the driver’s view. The most typical example of this is insects on the road.

Simply put, motorcycle helmet laws prevent a motorcyclist from suffering a traumatic brain injury in a traffic accident. Many of these cases result in a motorcyclist beginning to suffer severe and chronic lifelong damage in addition to die.

Are There Any Disadvantages To Motorcycle Helmet Laws?

While there are some advantages to these laws, there are also some apparent disadvantages. In principle, a motorcyclist needs to have a specific budget to have a motorcycle helmet. It may be necessary to have other pieces of safety equipment when riding a motorcycle in some cases.

In most states, there is only one item of mandatory protection, and that is the motorcycle helmet. Therefore, a person buying a motorcycle for the first time will need to have an additional budget to purchase the required motorcycle helmet. So, it means that you must have a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet, as not just any helmet can be used.

Another disadvantage is that some motorcycle helmets may be too uncomfortable to put on at the start of a trip. For most motorcyclists, this can be a real hassle, especially when someone is just learning to use this vehicle.

Users on a limited budget must resort to a low-quality motorcycle helmet. It means that the helmet inside may be too uncomfortable or heavy. Even during the hottest days of the year, a motorcycle helmet can exacerbate the heat inside.

Motorcycle helmet laws do not exist by having a specific size or shape in the helmet. So, here users on a limited budget are genuinely disadvantaged, as they can only access cheap helmets that provide little comfort.

Finally, some motorcyclists may feel that the lack of freedom of movement can be a significant disadvantage of wearing a helmet. Many experienced motorcyclists think that a ride is much more enjoyable when they are not wearing a helmet. Also, mandatory motorcycle helmet laws feel like a significant constraint to convenient motorcycle riding enjoyment.

How Effective Are Motorcycle Helmets In Preventing Death?

In many places where laws require motorcycle riders to wear helmets, efficient results have been noted. A motorcyclist wearing a motorcycle helmet is 30 times less exposed to severe and fatal injuries in a traffic accident. Specifically, motorcycle helmets can provide the following results:

1. This implement reduces the risk of a fatal injury to a motorcyclist by 37%.

2. The helmet also decreases a motorcyclist’s chance of sustaining any injury by 69%.

3. If all motorcyclists use helmets, there could be a savings of more than $1 billion in economic costs in the United States.

4. More than 800 lives could be saved each year if all motorcyclists wore helmets.

5. Each year motorcycle helmets save the lives of more than 2,000 people.

Experts say there are some obvious disadvantages to wearing a motorcycle helmet. However, the most important benefit is reducing fatal injuries that can be suffered in a traffic accident.

That is why there are laws requiring motorcyclists to wear motorcycle helmets. In all those places where it is not so mandatory to wear a motorcycle helmet, the number of motorcyclist deaths is much higher. However, there is a wide variety of helmets with different shapes and designs that people can choose from.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_helmet

https://www.nhtsa.gov/motorcycle-safety/choose-right-motorcycle-helmet