Advocates has publicly weighed in with the House Committee on Finance of the West Virginia Legislature to oppose House Bill 2739, which would repeal the all-rider motorcycle helmet use law. Motorcycle riders are nearly 22 times more likely to die in a crash than passenger vehicle occupants. In 2022, 40 motorcyclists lost their lives in West Virginia according to the most recently available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to the West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (WV DMV) that fatality impact remained consistent in 2023 (41 motorcycle riders killed). For context that is around double the state’s target (21). West Virginia motorcyclist fatalities in 2022 were 48 percent higher than the pre-pandemic 2019 level.
According to a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), laws requiring all motorcyclists to wear helmets are the only strategy proven to be effective in reducing motorcyclist fatalities and repeal of all-rider helmet use laws has tragic consequences. For example, after repeal of their state’s universal helmet requirement, the motorcyclist fatality rate increased 35 percent in Florida, 50 percent in Kentucky and 100 percent in Louisiana. With motorcyclist fatalities at record levels, we urge you the committee to oppose HB 2739.
Read the full letter here.