Helmet law repeal raises death rate

Motorcyclist deaths have nearly doubled and medical costs have soared in Florida five years since the state government made helmet use optional.
In a survey by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the three years after the optional helmet law took effect, the number of fatal motorcycle accidents increased more than 81 percent -- compared with a 48 percent increase nationally.
"The numbers are pretty compelling that Florida has paid a high price," Rae Tyson, a spokesman for the federal agency told the Miami Herald
The study said in the 30 months after the helmet law was lifted, 4,986 riders were admitted to hospitals -- 40 percent more than the 3,567 admissions during the 30 months before the law was changed. Head-injury admissions were up 80 percent and costs charged to hospitals for motorcyclists with head, brain or skull injuries more than doubled from $21 million to $50 million.
Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said he was compelled to sign the helmet law repeal because legislators had rolled it into a larger transportation package. A Bush spokesman declined comment because his office hadn't yet seen the study.

Is it time for Jeb to reinstitute the helmet laws?