Why alter Tennessee's universal motorcycle helmet law? This year, as in years past, a cohort of our state legislators is seeking to change the current law making motorcycle helmets mandatory for all riders to a new partial helmet law that makes helmets optional for riders over age 25. The rationale behind the proposed legislation isn't clear.

What is without question is that motorcycle helmets save lives and prevent, or at a minimum reduce, the devastating effects of traumatic brain injuries. Unhelmeted motorcyclists are twice as likely to suffer severe head injuries as helmeted riders.

At Vanderbilt and hospitals across Tennessee, physicians see the direct benefit of the state's current universal helmet law in the accident victims we treat. There is a mountain of facts and figures dating back to the 1960s from the government, medical science and insurance industry analysts proving conclusively that motorcycle helmets save lives and reduce health care costs.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that during 2010 alone, Tennessee's universal motorcycle helmet law saved 46 lives and prevented $94 million in economic losses.

Kentucky altered its universal helmet law in 1998 to make helmets optional for riders over age 21, thus resembling what is being proposed now by our legislators. What happened? Motorcycle accident fatalities rose by more than 50 percent.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, on average, motorcycle helmets reduce the risk of death by 37 percent, reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury by 69 percent, and save the U.S. approximately $3 billion each year. In 2010, the U.S. could have saved an additional $1.4 billion if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.

It seems as though little thought has been given to legislation that will place every motorcyclist choosing to ride without a helmet at much greater risk of death, and will put Tennessee's taxpayers on the hook for the enormous increase in economic costs associated with caring for accident survivors with serious brain injuries. If this is about "personal freedom," is there any evidence to support the assumption a motorcyclist is freer without wearing a helmet?

At Vanderbilt, we treat more than 100 critically injured motorcycle accident victims each year. From this, and voluminous national data associated with motorcycle accidents, we know motorcyclists who suffer serious head injuries and related traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are much more likely to require extensive rehabilitation or nursing home care. The cost at these ancillary facilities can average $2,500 per day, and commercial health insurance seldom covers the tab.

Once someone suffers a severe TBI, they are never the same again. The physical, cognitive, behavioral and emotional consequences can be staggering. Depending on your philosophy, the human brain is God's greatest creation or evolution's crowning achievement. However, once severely damaged, there is no repair.

If this legislation is really about personal freedom, why have laws enforcing stop signs, traffic lights, seat belts or child safety seats?

Further, partial helmet laws are difficult to enforce. In states that have partial helmet laws, compliance goes down among all age groups, including those who are still required to wear a helmet.

The data supporting the ability of motorcycle helmets to save lives, reduce disability and reduce health care costs is so compelling this issue should be put to rest in Tennessee once and for all.

Dr. Richard Miller is chief of the Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

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