In 1998, the Oregon Health Policy Institute convened a technical review panel comprised of researchers, public health professionals, and motorcycle related associations to review available data on the health effects of motorcycle helmets and motorcycle helmet laws.

Findings were:

• Data indicate that helmets reduce the probability of head trauma and reduce the severity of head injury.
• There are no data indicating that helmets increase the probability of a crash.

• Available data indicate that following enactment of universal helmet laws which require all riders to wear helmets, reductions in the number of head injuries and fatalities occur.

• To the extent that helmet laws increase the use of helmets and thereby reduce the incidence and severity of head injuries, helmet laws should reduce general health care costs.