Helmet law repeal results in more head trauma in two years

By Larry King

The Philadelphia Inquirer

HARRISBURG -- Pennsylvania motorcyclists have suffered severe head injuries at a dramatically increased clip since the state's helmet law was repealed in 2003.

In the past two years, nearly twice as many riders have landed in trauma centers with major head injuries than in the two years preceding the repeal, according to a legislative report released Wednesday.

Even when adjusted for a spike in motorcycle registrations since 2001, the rate of major head injuries still went up by 55 percent. And most of those head-injured riders -- 62 percent -- were riding without helmets, the study reported.

"It's time to stop the body count," said Alex Rosenau, president of the Pennsylvania chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians. "It's time to reduce the suffering of the families. And it's definitely time to reinstate the mandatory helmet law."

In September 2003, Pennsylvania joined the 30 states that do not require helmets of all motorcyclists. Anyone older than 21 who has held a motorcycle license for two years or who has completed a safety course is free to ride unprotected.

The issue resurfaced June 12, when Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger broke his jaw and several facial bones while riding without a helmet. He has since pledged to start wearing one.

But there appears little inclination in Harrisburg to reverse course. Even some legislators who opposed the helmet repeal say they want more definitive data before revisiting the law.

Wednesday's report, compiled by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, was ordered by lawmakers at the time of the repeal. An update, in which data from police, medical systems and state transportation records will more closely track the medical results and costs of motorcycle accidents, is due in July 2008.

"I realize we need to wait until (that) study comes in for our best answer," said Sen. Jay Costa Jr., D-Allegheny, a repeal opponent who called the report "troubling."

Costa recalled the predictions of medical professionals that a repeal would cause an explosion in the number and severity of head injuries. "It appears to me that's exactly what is playing out here," he said.