1.3 Motorcycle Helmet Law Enforcement: Noncompliant Helmets

This countermeasure involves legislation and enforcement of laws that require motorcyclists to wear helmets that comply with FMVSS 218. For FMVSS 218 compliant helmet laws to be effective, they must be enforced, publicized, and adequately funded. NHTSA makes videos available for motorcyclists and law enforcement demonstrating how to identify compliant and noncompliant helmets, and how to choose a helmet that fits correctly (www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/get-materials/motorcycle-safety/rider-safety). States may access these videos for their own outreach campaigns. NHTSA also produced a brochure on how to identify noncompliant helmets, www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.dot.gov/files/documents/14283-identify_unsafe_motorcycle_helmets_070919_v4_tag.pdf. See NHTSA’s Choose the Right Motorcycle Helmet page for information on identifying the correct helmet fit and helmet safety ratings (www.nhtsa.gov/motorcycle-safety/choose-right-motorcycle-helmet). NHTSA also produced publications designed to teach motorists about motorcycle rider behaviors of which they may not be aware (see www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/get-materials/motorcycle-safety/motorist-awareness-motorcycles).

Effectiveness Concern: The effectiveness of an enforcement program on noncompliant helmet use has not been evaluated.

Further information about the known research, potential effectiveness, costs, use, and time to implement is available in Appendix A5, Section 1.3.