The Big Surge in 2020 Traffic Deaths Had an Uneven Toll
The rise in U.S. road deaths after Covid-19 hit was historic, but it was especially concentrated among certain groups of people, new federal data show.
In 1967, the federal government required states to enact universal motorcycle helmet laws to qualify for certain highway safety funds. By 1975, all but three had complied. In 1976, Congress revoked federal authority to assess penalties for noncompliance, and states began to weaken helmet laws to apply only to young or novice riders.
Currently, about half the states require helmets for all motorcyclists. Most other states require helmets for certain riders, and a few have no helmet law. GHSA urges all states to adopt a universal motorcycle helmet law and vigorously enforce existing laws.
NOTE: GHSA does not compile any additional data on helmet laws other than what is presented here. For more information, consult the appropriate State Highway Safety Office.
Sources: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and State Highway Safety Offices.
Last reviewed by SHSOs in March 2023.
Helmets required for riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1983.
Helmets required for riders under 18 or with instructional permit. Universal helmet law repealed 1978.
Universal helmet law enacted 1971.
Universal helmet law enacted 1990.
Universal helmet law enacted 1970.
Universal helmet law.
Universal helmet law enacted 1968.
Helmets required for all riders under 21. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
Helmets required for all riders under 21 as well as those who have not completed a safety course or have no medical insurance (secondarily enforced). Universal helmet law repealed 1997.
Universal helmet law enacted 1967.
Helmets required for riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
Helmets required for all riders under 21. Universal helmet law repealed 1980.
Helmets required for all riders under 21 or who have been licensed less than one year; helmets required for all passengers. Universal helmet law repealed 1976.
Universal helmet law.
Helmets required for all riders under 21 or who have been licensed for less than 2 years, except those who complete a PennDOT- or Motorcycle Safety Foundation-approved safety course. Universal helmet law repealed 2003.
Universal helmet law enacted 1988.
Helmets required for riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1976.
Helmets required for riders under 18 or who have been licensed for less than one year as well as for all passengers when the operator is required to wear a helmet. Universal helmet law repealed 1978.
Universal helmet law.
Helmets required for all riders under 18 and all passengers if operator is under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
Universal helmet law enacted 1968.
Universal helmet law enacted 1967.
Helmets required for riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
Universal helmet law enacted 1968.
No helmet laws.
Universal helmet law enacted 1972.
Universal helmet law enacted 1989.
Helmets required for riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
Motorcyclists may ride without helmets if they are 26 yrs or older and have medical insurance.
Universal helmet law enacted 1974.
Helmets required for all riders under 18 or with instructional permit. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
Helmets required for riders under 21 or for riders and passengers without additional insurance. Universal helmet law repealed 2012.
Universal helmet law enacted 1967.
Universal helmet law enacted 1992.
Helmets required for operators on permit or within 1 year of having obtained license as well as for all passengers and operators under 18. Passengers always have to wear a helmet when the operator is required to. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
Universal helmet law enacted 2004.
Helmets required for riders under 21 or who have been licensed less than one year. Universal helmet law repealed 1998.
Helmets required for all riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1976.
No helmet laws. Universal helmet law repealed 1976.
Helmets required for all riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
No helmet laws. Universal helmet law repealed 1970.
Helmets required for all riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1978.
Helmets required for all riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
Helmets required for all riders and passengers under 18 and drivers licensed for fewer than 3 years.
Universal helmet law enacted 1969.
Helmets required for riders under 21 or those with less than $10,000 in medical coverage for motorcycle-related injuries. Universal helmet law repealed in 2000.
Universal helmet law enacted 1970.
Helmets required for all riders under 19 and (effective 7/30/2023) all riders for two years after receiving a motorcycle endorsement. Universal helmet law repealed 1978.
Helmets required for all riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1976.
Helmets required for all riders and passengers under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
Universal helmet law enacted 1992.
Helmets required for riders under 21. Universal helmet law repealed 1997.
Helmets required for riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1976.
Helmet required for riders under 18 or with instructional permit; all passengers must wear helmet. Universal helmet law repealed 1976.
Universal helmet law enacted 1967
The rise in U.S. road deaths after Covid-19 hit was historic, but it was especially concentrated among certain groups of people, new federal data show.
Even though Americans drove less in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, close to 39,000 lives were lost on U.S. roadways in 2020 -- the highest death toll since 2007, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports.
The nation’s top highway safety leaders will convene at the Sheraton Denver Downtown for the Governors Highway Safety Association’s (GHSA) Annual Meeting, Moving Mountains: Forging a New Traffic Safety Landscape, September 11-15.
The nation’s top highway safety leaders will convene at the Sheraton Denver Downtown for the Governors Highway Safety Association’s (GHSA) Annual Meeting, Moving Mountains: Forging a New Traffic Safety Landscape, September 11-15.
As summer winds down and millions of Americans take to the roads for the Labor Day weekend, GHSA is reminding motorists that State Highway Safety Offices and their federal and law enforcement partners are stepping up efforts to reduce drunk and drug-impaired driving.
As summer winds down and millions of Americans take to the roads for the Labor Day weekend, GHSA is reminding motorists that SHSOs and their federal and law enforcement partners are stepping up efforts to reduce drunk and drug-impaired driving, a preventable behavior that puts road users at risk.
GHSA's Annual Report highlights the Association's accomplishments for the 2020 Fiscal Year (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2019
CONTACT: Kara Macek, 202-789-0944
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As part of the National Cooperative Research and Evaluation Program (NCREP), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released a report examining why motorcycle riders choose to wear – or not wear – high-visibility gear and what can be done to encourage greater use rates.