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One hundred and seventy-four motorcyclists were killed on Missouri roadways in 2023. Motorcycle deaths have never been higher in the state’s history. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), the record-breaking figures directly result from the state repealing its universal helmet law in 2020.
The new provision allows motorcyclists over the age of 26 to ride helmetless, provided they can present proof of health insurance. Missouri’s legislature passed the bill in August 2019 and enacted the law one year later. Motorcycle deaths in the Show-Me State have risen ever since.
Of the 174 fatalities recorded in 2023, only 77 riders, or 44%, were confirmed as wearing helmets. The total death toll represents a 47% increase over the 118 fatalities reported in 2020. Those aren’t the only troubling statistics. Unlicensed or improperly licensed riders also accounted for around half of the helmetless motorcyclists killed last year, according to Jon Nelson, assistant to MoDOT State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer.
“We’ve seen that in other states,” Nelson told NPR-member station KBIA. “Whenever they’ve repealed a helmet law, (there are) similar increases.”
MoDOT presented its findings to the state’s House Transportation Accountability Committee on April 11, 2024. The report outlined the increase in motorcycle fatalities between 2018 and 2023. During the proceeding, Committee Chairman and Republican Representative Don Mayhew questioned whether other circumstances contributed to rising death rates.
Some may point to highway traffic returning to pre-pandemic levels as an influencing factor but overall roadway fatalities in Missouri dropped by 6% between 2022 and 2023, indicating that automotive deaths actually fell during that period. Despite MoDOT’s presentation, the Committee didn’t discuss potential solutions, such as reinstating the state’s compulsory helmet laws.
The cause of Missouri’s record-setting fatality numbers may seem evident but the state legislature’s inaction comes as no surprise. Only 18 U.S. states and Washington D.C. uphold universal helmet laws. Three states — Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire — maintain no helmet requirements at all. Even if data supports mandatory helmet laws, even if your state doesn’t institute such rules, it’s important to note that wearing a helmet is always within your power.
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