The Negative Impact of the Repeal of the Arkansas Motorcycle Helmet Law

Abstract

Repeal of the mandatory helmet law was associated with an increase in the nonhelmeted crash scene fatality rate. After the repeal, there was a disproportionately higher admission rate for nonhelmeted motorcycle crash survivors. These patients had an increased use of hospital resources and poorer reimbursement of charges compared with their helmeted counterparts. This resulted in significantly higher unreimbursed charges. States considering repeal of their mandatory adult helmet laws should consider the potential negative financial impact on their health care system and the increased morbidity associated with nonhelmeted motorcycle riders involved in a crash.

Public policies and motorcycle safety

“…Although we are unable to confirm the reliability of the reporting system in each state, we are reasonably confident that the states collected and reported non-fatal injury data consistently vis-à-vis the national fatality data. (Sass and Zimmerman, 2000;Bledsoe and Li, 2005;Houston and Richardson, 2008), injury severity (Rowland et al, 1996), and medical costs (Max et al, 1998;Bledsoe et al, 2002). As of 2006, 47 states had legislated motorcycle rider education programs, which are intended to prevent or reduce the likelihood of crashes.…”

Motorcycle fatalities among out-of-state riders and the role of universal helmet laws

“…For example, two trauma hospitals in western Tennessee, which has a UHL, report treating a disproportionate number of serious head injuries among riders injured in motorcycle crashes in Kentucky and Arkansas, which do not have UHLs (Hall, 2006). Overall, motorcycle crashes pose significant costs to taxpayers as many injured motorcyclists either lack health insurance or receive support from public funds (Bledsoe et al, 2002;Coben, Steiner, & Miller, 2007).…”

“…Helmet use and UHLs have also consistently been associated with lower injury severity (Dee, 2009) and lower medical costs (Bledsoe et al, 2002). In Arkansas, motorcycle registrations, crashes, injuries, and fatalities all increased following the repeal of their UHL in 1997.…”

Donorcycles: Motorcycle Helmet Laws and the Supply of Organ Donors

“…In the context of organ donation, the crucial distinction between brain death, which involves the irreversible 5 A number of additional studies focus on a single state before and after a helmet law change. For examples, see Auman et al (2002), Bledsoe et al (2002), Bledsoe and Li (2005), Eberhardt et al (2008), Hotz et al (2002), Kraus et al (1994), Mayrose (2008), Mertz and Weiss (2008), Muller (2004), andMuller (2007).…”