STATISTICS released from the Governers Highway Safety Association in America show that use of motorcycle helmets dropped 13% in 2010 compared to 2009.

Helmet use in the USA stood at 54% in 2010, compared to 67% in 2009.

The GHSA data also revealed that motorcycle fatalities in 2010 declined by 2% compared to 2009, however the 2010 decrease was concentrated in the early months of the year, with fatalities actually increasing by about 3 percent in the third quarter 2010 compared with the same quarter in 2009.

According to the GHSA's figures, in 2008 42% of fatally-injured motorcyclists were not wearing helmets. 2009 was the first year where motorcycle fatalities decreased for 11 years. Motorcycle fatalities more than doubled from 1997 to 2008.

Only 20 states have a universal helmet law, requiring helmets for all riders.