HIGHWAY TO HELMETS HEADGEAR DRIVES DROP IN MOTORCYCLE DEATHS.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

California's helmet law is being credited for a decline in motorcycle fatalities, even as the number of deaths nationwide is on the rise, officials say.

A recent study by the federal Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 4,008 motorcycle fatalities nationwide last year, compared with 3,714 in 2003. California authorities reported 351 motorcycle deaths last year, compared with 368 in 2003.

Experts say motorcycle safety classes helped keep numbers down statewide, along with the 1992 law requiring all motorcyclists in California to wear safety helmets. After a similar law in Florida was repealed in 2000, the death rate soared 71 percent in the first 30 months.

``California is certainly doing the right thing when it comes to the helmet law,'' said Rae Tyson, spokesman for the administration. ``The governor has gone on record to say he would not repeal it.''

State and national officials are watching the trend closely, saying the decrease comes at a time when overall ridership in California has increased.

In 2003, for example, 172,711 state residents had registered their cycles with the Department of Motor Vehicles. That rose slightly to 176,633 in 2004. From 1999 to 2004, motorcycle sales rose 91 percent in California, compared to 75 percent for the nation.

Los Angeles County and San Fernando Valley deaths appear to be decreasing as well, though California Highway Patrol officials said speeding still plays a factor in motorcycle deaths, and injuries are still of concern.

In Los Angeles County, 64 people died and 2,135 were injured in motorcycle related-accidents in 2002. That jumped in 2003 to 81 people killed and 2,470 injured, but ticked down last year to 71 fatalities and 2,286 injuries.

``Los Angeles County appears to be following the state trend from 2003 to 2004, and hopefully California is on the right track of reducing motorcycles fatalities,'' said Ron Burch, spokesman for the California Highway Patrol.

For years, the San Fernando Valley averaged about seven fatalities until 2004, when the death toll reached 10 by August.

This year so far, the numbers have fallen back down to six, said Los Angeles Police Department West Valley Traffic Capt. Ronald Marbrey.

``We're actually down a little bit this year, compared to this time last year,'' he said. ``However, we still see speeding on motorcycles as the primary factor. We really want to send the message to people, especially to motorcycle riders, that the survival rate in an accident is comparatively low.''

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is seeing an increase in attendance in its state-approved courses, said Robert Gladden, program manager for the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Attendance rose 15 percent last year.

The classes are important, he said, because cycles are being built to go faster and there are more first-time riders purchasing bikes, he said.

``We try to continually improve our curriculum,'' he said. ``We encourage them to buy eye and head gear, protective clothing and footwear.''

Overall, California is seeing a decrease in all traffic-related deaths. Traffic fatalities declined 14.9 percent in the first six months of this year, compared to the same time in 2004, the CHP reported this week.

``This obviously is very encouraging to us,'' said CHP Commissioner Mike Brown. ``Our challenge now is to keep the trend going.''

Susan Abram, [phone]

susan.abram(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Shoppers check out the motorcycle helmet collection on the shelves of Kolbe Honda in Woodland Hills.

(2) A California law requiring motorcycle riders to wear helmets is being credited with reducing deaths. State fatalities have fallen since 2003, even as nationwide totals have risen.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer