Kentucky ranked 8th in the nation with 8.9 deaths per 10,000 registered bikes.

The NHTSA estimates that motorcycle helmets saved an estimated 1,872 lives across the nation in 2017. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets, they calculate that an additional 749 lives could have been saved.

Helmets can definitely help reduce the severity of accidents, but Kentucky doesn’t require all riders wear them.  State law requires riders to wear a helmet if they are under 21 years old, only have a permit, and/or have had their operator’s license for less than a year