HI HR41

Urges the Department of Transportation to submit legislation by the 2019 regular session establishing a universal helmet law requiring all operators and riders of motorcycles, motor scooters, mopeds, and bicycles to wear safety helmets.

Cites research showing helmets reduce death risk by 42 percent and head injury risk by 69 percent, and that states with universal helmet laws have motorcycle fatality rates 20-40 percent lower than states with partial helmet laws.

References Hawaii's 1968-1977 universal helmet law period when motorcycle fatalities decreased 57 percent (from 14 to 6 per 10,000 registered motorcycles), with fatalities rising after repeal in 1977.

Notes between 2005-2009 in Hawaii, 67 percent of fatally injured motorcycle riders and 96 percent of fatally injured moped riders were not wearing helmets.

Encourages consideration of additional provisions including secure chin strap requirements, prohibitions on leasing or renting motorcycles and scooters without helmets, and recommended fines for violations.