South Carolina reports fewer motorcycle deaths in 2008
Maverick - Jan 2, 2009

 

South Carolina’s lack of a helmet law for adult bikers, officials say, is part of the reason.

Of the 108 motorcyclists killed, 86, or 76 percent, weren’t wearing helmets. A fierce anti-helmet lobbying effort has state lawmakers wary of passing any laws that might force more helmet use.

 

Absent state action, Myrtle Beach has passed its own mandatory helmet law. After Feb. 28, bikers without helmets will face $100 fines. The City Council of Myrtle Beach took action after years of deaths among helmetless bikers each spring at biker events. “They wear helmets in their own states; they’ll need to wear a helmet in Myrtle Beach,” said city spokesman Mark Kruea.

 

 

Lawsuits seeking to overturn the ordinance are under way in state and federal court. So far, judges have refused to block the law from going into effect. 

 

A small part of the state’s lower death toll might be attributed to people driving less over the past year, Keel said, referring to a nationwide trend as gasoline prices increased in 2008.

 

Estimates from the Federal Highway Administration indicate that driving nationwide will decline from 3 percent to 5 percent this year compared with last year. That also holds true for South Carolina. But even a 5 percent drop in miles driven would not account for South Carolina’s significant drop in 2008 fatalities.

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