http://www.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/08/09/motorcycle.deaths.ap/index.html
Here is the kicker.WASHINGTON (AP) -- Motorcycle fatalities have risen sharply in Florida since the state repealed its mandatory helmet law.
States that repeal such laws run the risk of increased deaths and mounting health care costs for injured bikers, according to two studies released Monday, one by the government, the other by the insurance industry.
The cost of hospital care for motorcycle injuries grew from $21 million to $44 million in the 30 months after the law changed; the figures were adjusted for inflation.
"The results are remarkably similar that when you repeal a helmet law, you can expect an increase in fatalities and you can expect an increase in medical costs," said NHTSA spokesman Rae Tyson.
WTF does it matter.Tom Lindsay, a spokesman for the American Motorcyclist Association, noted that both studies failed to show the causes of crashes, such as the rider's behavior, road and weather conditions or the motorcycle itself.