by Paul Jacob

The CNN headline boldly proclaimed that a Florida "Report faults repeal of motorcycle helmet law." CNN stated that "'Unhelmeted' deaths have soared in Florida."

From CNN we learn that "a Florida Today analysis of federal motorcycle crash statistics found 'unhelmeted' deaths in Flordia rose from 22 in 1998 and 1999, the years before the helmet law repeal, to 250 in 2004." Total motorcycle deaths in Florida have increased those same years from 259 to 432.

That cinches it, eh? Motorcycle helmet laws save lives.

But what happens when you do the math yourself? For statistics, I find a spreadsheet a big help.

The first thing one notices, looking at that spreadsheet, is that the number of helmeted deaths went down 23 percent. So the most obvious statistical extrapolation would be that leaving the wearing of helmets up to cyclists increases the survivability of responsible helmet wearers.

Ha! The report didn't mention that.

What was mentioned, but not made much of, was that motorcycle registrations increased a WHOPPING 87 percent since the helmet law repeal.

This suggests that the chief effect of repealing helmet laws is more riders. And, since this likely means more miles driven by motorcyclists, this suggests to economist David D. Friedman that motorcyclist deaths have actually gone down, per the best standard of such things, per miles ridden.

I take statistics with a grain of salt. Now I raise the salt 22 percent.

Common Sense is published by Americans for Limited Government. Their website can be visited at www.limitedgov.org.