Motorcycle riding laws help keep riders and other drivers safe from injuries and accidents. However, if the law changes and offers motorcyclists aged 26 and up the freedom to ride without a helmet, will you prioritize personal freedom over your own safety?
Here’s what you need to know about Missouri’s amended helmet law and the safety risks that they carry.
Missouri motorcycle helmet law: What changed?
Previously, the state enforced a universal motorcycle helmet law. This law made it mandatory for all motorcyclists and passengers to wear a helmet. However, an amendment took effect last August 2020. Under this new law, only those aged 25 and below must wear a helmet.
This means that riders or passengers aged 26 and older have the option to forgo a helmet at their own expense. However, they must carry proof of their health insurance coverage. Although these changes aim to give riders more freedom, it can carry safety risks.
3 common types of injuries that motorcyclists face
Head and brain injuries
Riders who get involved in traffic accidents are particularly vulnerable to incurring head and traumatic brain injuries. These injuries can lead to brain bleeds, permanent brain damage, coma or death.
Fractures and broken bones
When riders collide with other vehicles on the road, the strong impact usually leads to serious bone fractures. These injuries are not only extremely painful but often require surgery and lengthy recovery periods.
Spinal cord injuries
Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are one of the most life-changing consequences of motorcycle accidents. Damage to the spinal cord can interrupt sensory signals and lead to partial or full body paralysis. SCI can also affect the rider’s speech production and other motor functions, lowering their quality of life.
Freedom to ride should not come at the expense of a life
While helmet usage is now only required for younger riders, you still have the option to keep on wearing one. This choice not only protects you against known road hazards, it also shields you from a severe injury or death in a crash.