Nearly 80% of Iowa motorcycle fatalities have no helmet

A motorcycle pillion passenger caught riding without a helmet bizarrely tried to evade being fined by wrapping plastic around her head. The woman on an electric scooter was stopped by police at a busy intersection in Chaoyang, in north-eastern China's Liaoning province, on March 27. After qu…

Nearly 80% of Iowa motorcyclists killed in 2022 were not wearing a helmet, Iowa Department of Transportation data shows. And as hundreds of thousands of bikers flock to Sturgis, South Dakota, the Iowa State Patrol is urging vehicle operators to be safe on Iowa roadways.

Seventy-eight percent of motorcyclists killed in 2022 were not wearing a helmet, a 3% increase from 2021, and a 10% increase from 2020.

The number of fatalities, 49, was down from 2021, when 68 motorcyclists died.

Iowa saw an increased rate of unhelmeted fatalities in 2022. (Table courtesy of the Iowa Department of Transportation)

Despite Iowa’s lack of a motorcycle helmet law, Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Alex Dinkla said the Iowa State Patrol always recommends safety.

“That’s a choice that they can make on their own,” Dinkla said. “But as of right now, that is not a law requiring people to wear a helmet.”

Thirty-two bikers have been killed on Iowa roads so far in 2023, putting Iowa on track to see more motorcycle fatalities than in 2022.

“We’ll let the experts look at the data and whatever recommendations that they want to make for any laws,” Dinkla said. “We have to leave that up to our Legislature to deem any new or change any laws that might be existing on any books, but we’re always going to recommend safety from the State Patrol.”

There were no laws introduced in the most recent legislative session to require riders to protect themself with a helmet.

Iowa, Illinois and New Hampshire are the three states with no motorcycle helmet laws. Other states require helmets for riders age 17 or younger, or for all riders.

(Stock photo via Canva)

As summer wears on, drivers let their guard down when it comes to looking for bikers, Dinkla said.

“We’ve really talked about it in the springtime,” Dinkla said. “People have kind of let their guard down. But those motorcycles can be hidden behind the smallest of objects or blind spots in your vehicle.”

In 2022, 45% of motorcyclists were impaired, a 2% decrease from 2021 and 6% decrease from 2020.

Dinkla said state troopers are always looking out for signs of impairment, and other drivers have provided assistance in keeping roads safe, too.

“Our officers are out there day and night,” Dinkla said. “They’re looking for just those different indicator clues, as well as answering 911 calls from people that are calling in with people that are driving erratically all over the road showing signs of impairment. We get those calls weekly and we go out and investigate those, just to make sure that people are safe on our roadways.”

The Sturgis motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota begins Friday and finishes Aug. 13.

Scenes from the last day of the 82nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Saturday in downtown Sturgis.

Riders in the Unknown Industries Stunt Show perform on Harley-Davidson Way in front of Rally Point on the first day of the 82nd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on Aug. 5 in downtown Sturgis.

People fill Main Street waiting for the B1 bombers to do a flyover during the 82nd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on Tuesday, Aug. 9 in Sturgis.

Scenes from the last day of the 82nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Saturday in downtown Sturgis.

Sturgis City Manager Daniel Ainslie speaks with other officials Saturday on the last day of the 82nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Cole Freeman tests his motorcycle before jumping over Main Street in Sturgis Saturday on the last day of the 82nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Raphael, 3, and Everleigh, 3, dance on the stage at Harly-Davidson Rally Point Saturday during the closing ceremony of the 82nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Cole Freeman raises his arms to encourage shouts from the crowd just before the logo for the 83rd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Saturday during the closing ceremony for the 82nd.

Puddle of Mudd and Pop Evil perform at The Buffalo Chip on Friday, Aug. 13, 2022 during the 82nd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Scenes from the peewee and amateur hill climb Friday at the Jackpine Gypsies during the 82nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Jon Pardi in concert Thursday at the Buffalo Chip in Sturgis.

Scenes from the Jon Pardi concert on Tuesday at the Buffalo Chip in Sturgis.

Scenes from the 82nd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022.

Vendors are set up throughout all of downtown Sturgis for this year's 82nd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

A rallygoer checks out the shirts displayed inside one of the vendor shops at the 82nd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on Wednesday in downtown Sturgis. Vendors say they've seen a definite decrease in the amount of sales this year compared to years past.

Country music performer Travis Tritt performs on Wednesday night at The Buffalo Chip during the 82nd annual Sturgis Motorcyle Rally.

Scenes from the 82nd annual Sturgis Motorcyle Rally on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022 in Sturgis.

The crowd begins to walk into the Buffalo Chip amphitheater Sunday night during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Lynyrd Skynyrd's drum kit on the Wolfman Jack Stage before the show begins Sunday night at the Buffalo Chip during the 82nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Lynyrd Skynyrd performs Sunday night on the Wolfman Jack stage at the Buffalo Chip during the 82nd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Pianist Peter Keys rocks out during Lynyrd Skynyrd's first song Sunday night on the Wolfman Jack Stage at the Buffalo Chip during the 82nd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Lynyrd Skynyrd performs Sunday night on the Wolfman Jack stage at the Buffalo Chip during the 82nd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Rickey Medlocke pumps up the crowd Sunday night on the Wolfman Jack Stage at the Buffalo Chip during the 82nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Johnny Van Zant during Lynyrd Skynyrd's Sunday night show at the Buffalo Chip during the 82nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Lynyrd Skynyrd performs Sunday night on the Wolfman Jack stage at the Buffalo Chip during the 82nd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

The crowd rocks out to Lynyrd Skynyrd's Sunday night performance at the Buffalo Chip during the 82nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Officiate Joan Pillen offers wedding services at the Sturgis Hitchin' Post for couples looking to get married in Sturgis during the annual motorcycle rally.

Lori Bluhm signs her marriage certificate while officiate Joan Pillen watches at the Sturgis Hitchin' Post on Tuesday during the 82nd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Lori Bluhm, second from left, is all smiles while looking at her new husband, Dion Bluhm, as the couple's witnesses sign the marriage certificate under officiate Joan Pillen. The Bluhms got married at the Sturgis Hitchin' Post on Tuesday during the 82nd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Brady Tausan of Rapid City (80) soars past an opponent over a jump during the AMA Supermoto National Championship at the Jackpine Gypsies track in Sturgis Wednesday.

Brady Tausan of Rapid City (80) soars past the press box over a jump during the AMA Supermoto National Championship at the Jackpine Gypsies track in Sturgis Wednesday.

Firefighters work to shore up a home in south Sturgis after it was struck by a semi-truck and trailer early Wednesday morning. Two people in the semi-truck and the home's occupant escaped serious injury when the truck left Interstate 90 and struck the home about 6:17 a.m. Wednesday.

Tracks show where a semi-truck and trailer left Interstate 90 near Sturgis Wednesday morning and crashed through a chain-link fence. Two people in the semi-truck and the occupant of a home in south Sturgis escaped serious injury when the truck left the Interstate and struck the home about 6:17 a.m. Wednesday.

Two people in a semi-truck and trailer and the occupant of a home in Sturgis escaped serious injury when the truck left Interstate 90 and struck the home Wednesday.

Mary Maisey-Ireland, owner of Sturgis Rally Weddings, officiates a wedding Aug. 4. The couple chose to include a unity whiskey ceremony. "They blended two bottles of whiskey they’d never tried before in an engraved carafe, and then toasted each other with their very own mix," Maisey-Ireland said.

Scenes from the Buffalo Chip on Tuesday in Sturgis.

Hollywood Undead plays at the Buffalo Chip on Tuesday in Sturgis.

Scenes from the Buffalo Chip on Tuesday in Sturgis.

Jeremy Pombrowski shows off his lion tattoo for the color category on Tuesday at the Sturgis tattoo contest at Rally Point. A total of 18 people competed before six judges in four categories: fresh, color, tribal, and black and grey.

From left: Lorraine Hipp, winner of the fresh category, Paul Stallings, winner of the tribal and black and grey categories, and Norah Loker, winner of the color category, line up on the stage on Tuesday at the Sturgis tattoo contest at Rally Point. A total of 18 people competed before six judges in four categories: fresh, color, tribal, and black and grey. Category winners received a $100 cash prize and a bottle of Jack Daniels. Participants received a Sturgis cup.

Shane Gilbert shows his nature black and grey sleeve on Tuesday at the Sturgis tattoo contest at Rally Point. A total of 18 people competed before six judges in four categories: fresh, color, tribal, and black and grey.

Lorraine Hipp shows the judges her rose tattoo that won the fresh category on Tuesday at the Sturgis tattoo contest at Rally Point. A total of 18 people competed before six judges in four categories: fresh, color, tribal, and black and grey. Stallings also won tribal by default, as he was the only contestant. Category winners received a $100 cash prize and a bottle of Jack Daniels. Participants received a Sturgis cup.

Norah Loker cheers on Tuesday at the Sturgis tattoo contest at Rally Point after finding out she won the color category. A total of 18 people competed before six judges in four categories: fresh, color, tribal, and black and grey. Stallings also won tribal by default, as he was the only contestant. Category winners received a $100 cash prize and a bottle of Jack Daniels. Participants received a Sturgis cup.

Timmy Lathum, contestent for the best color tattoo, shows his thigh artwork at the Sturgis tattoo contest on Tuesday at Rally Point. A total of 18 people competed before six judges.

Scenes from the 82nd annual Sturgis Motorcyle Rally on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022 in Sturgis.

Col. Martin Yost of the South Dakota Army National Guard, left, presents veterans Arvid Meland, center, and Cindy Erickson, right, with certificates of appreciation during Military Appreciation Day ceremonies in Sturgis on Tuesday.

A pair of B1 bombers from Ellsworth Air Force Base perform a flyover Tuesday afternoon over Main Street in Sturgis as part of Military Appreciation Day at the 82nd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

From left: Bryan Carroll, Kelly Patterson and Rod Woodruff at the first Sturgis Rally Wrap Party in 2021. The luau-themed event returns to the Buffalo Chip on Aug. 12 and is a benefit for Treasured Lives. Carroll is the founder/CEO of MOTOvational Inc., a sponsor of the Sturgis Rally Wrap Party. Patterson is the founder/executive director of Treasured Lives. Woodruff is the owner/CEO of the Buffalo Chip.

Rob Zombie headlines The Buffalo Chip on Monday night as Lita Ford was the opening act during the 82nd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis.

Scenes from the 82nd Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on Monday in Sturgis.

Scenes from the 82nd Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on Monday in Deadwood.

Scenes from the 82nd Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on Monday in Sturgis.

Scenes from the first day of the 82nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on Friday in Downtown Sturgis.

Scenes from the 82nd Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on Monday in Deadwood.

Lexie Phillips, the assistant distiller at Jack Daniel's Distillery, poses for a photo on Monday at the Jack Daniel's Experience tent in Sturgis. Phillips is the first-ever woman to hold the position.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem addresses the crowd Monday at Outlaw Square in Deadwood. Noem spoke at the auction that took place before the annual Legends Ride from Deadwood to Sturgis, which she participated in.

A man holds up his hand to increase the bidding price during the auction Monday at Outlaw Square in Deadwood. The painting of Gov. Kristi Noem went for $24,000, the engine print went for $7,000, and the custom motorcycle went for $50,000.

Gov. Kristi Noem signs a painting of herself being auctioned Monday at Outlaw Square in Deadwood. Along with the painting of Noem, a print of a motorcycle engine and a custom motorcycle were auctioned off.

Gov. Kristi Noem listens to Kevin Sorbo during the auction Monday at Outlaw Square in Deadwood. The proceeds from the auction go to charities such as Treasured Lives, which works to stop human trafficking.

Scenes from the 82nd annual Sturgis Motorcyle Rally on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022 in Sturgis.

Scenes from the first day of the 82nd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on Friday in downtown Sturgis.

Scenes from the first day of the 82nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on Friday in Downtown Sturgis.

Rally attendees watch motorcyclists in the parade during the first day of the 82nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on Friday in Downtown Sturgis.

Scenes from the second day of the 82nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on Saturday in downtown Sturgis.

A motorcycle pillion passenger caught riding without a helmet bizarrely tried to evade being fined by wrapping plastic around her head. The wo…