According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, states that have passed universal helmet laws benefit from significant cost savings. These universal laws, which have been enacted in 19 states and the District of Columbia, require both motorcycle drivers and passengers to wear helmets at all times.

The information gathered shows an overwhelming difference in the number of motorcycle accident victims who wore helmets in states with universal helmet laws and those without such legislation. In states that require helmets, only 12 percent of accident victims were not wearing helmets at the time. States lacking helmet laws altogether saw a staggering 79 percent of those involved in a crash not wearing helmets.

The CDC estimates that over $3 billion in savings resulted from helmet use in 2010. Helmet use decreases the risk of motorcycle driver fatalities by 37 percent and passenger deaths by 41 percent. Statistics also show that helmet use lowers the risk of a head injury by 69 percent.

The report determined cost savings by state by examining the medical costs, loss of productivity both on the job and in the home, insurance costs and legal costs that were a consequence of fatalities and injuries caused by motorcycle accidents.

Missouri enacted its universal helmet law in 1967, making it one of the first states to do so. According to the CDC, Missouri is seventh nationwide for lives saved due to helmet use and sixth overall for cost savings. In Missouri, for every 100,000 registered motorcycles in 2008, 49 lives and $78 million were saved because of motorcyclists wearing helmets.

Source: The Sacramento Bee, "CDC study finds universal motorcycle helmet laws increase helmet use, save money," June 14, 2012.