A Year Later, Results Mixed on Motorcycle Helmets Law : Safety: Number of crashes fell 25% locally and statewide, but fatal injuries in county reversed trend by increasing.

Nearly a year after the state began requiring motorcyclists to use helmets, Highway Patrol officials report 25% fewer injuries but an increase in the number of deaths in Orange County.

Officials said 698 people were injured in motorcycle accidents in the county, compared to 926 during the same period last year. The figures were compiled from January through October this year, the latest statistics available.

The county reduction follows a statewide trend of about 25% fewer motorcycle injuries, Highway Patrol statistics show.

The numbers also show Orange County bucking a statewide trend of fewer motorcycle fatalities, providing fuel for those who continue to criticize the law and who are trying to have it overturned in court.

From January through October this year, 25 motorcyclists died in the county, an increase of five from the same period last year.

The latest fatalities occurred Tuesday night in Anaheim when two men riding a motorcycle died after they slammed into a light pole, police said. The driver wore a helmet; his passenger did not.

Highway Patrol officials concede that the helmet law is probably not the only reason that fewer riders were injured on motorcycles. They said it could be a combination of lower ridership and safety classes designed to improve rider knowledge.

The CHP said it will have to further break down its statistics to show what percentage of helmet-wearing motorcyclists are killed or injured before it can get a better picture of what is happening to bikers on the road.

Although some riders don’t like to wear a helmet, Highway Patrol officials estimate that 80% to 95% of motorcyclists abide by the law.

“It’s not that difficult to figure out why,” said Sam Haynes, a Highway Patrol spokesman in Sacramento. “If you’re not wearing one, you’ll stand out.”

The law, which went into effect Jan. 1, requires motorcycle drivers and passengers to use federally approved helmets when riding on a public street. Violators can be fined up to $270.

Many motorcycle safety organizations, such as the national Motorcycle Safety Foundation, encourage wearing helmets and support the law. Peter Fassnacht, a Costa Mesa resident who is vice president of safety programs for the foundation, said helmets are one way for bikers to protect themselves.

But strong opposition continues.

“It sucks, it really sucks,” said Robert Stieb, a biker who works at a Harley-Davidson shop in Santa Ana. “It should be freedom of choice, left up to the rider,” he said flatly.

Joe Cook, who is Stieb’s brother and works with him in the shop, complained: “The cops, it gives them another reason for pulling you over for nothing.”

Some of those who support the law say they need more data before determining its success or failure.

“It’s too soon to judge its effectiveness,” Fassnacht said. “But in other states there have been shown to be reductions in injuries and fatalities” after they pass helmet laws. California is one of 23 states, in addition to the District of Columbia, with the requirement.

One year ago, four motorcycle riders asked an Orange County Superior Court judge to temporarily halt implementation of the controversial measure. But, sweeping aside their freedom-of-choice argument, Judge James J. Alfano rejected the request and the law went into effect as scheduled New Year’s Day.

Undaunted, Ventura attorney Wendy C. Lascher, who represented the bikers last year, is planning to file another challenge in Orange County next spring, she said Wednesday.

Lascher is trying to show the law is unconstitutional because it deprives bikers of their freedom to choose whether to wear a helmet.

“People have just assumed it must be a good thing” for bikers to wear helmets, she said. But “the law takes away from freedom of choice, and it’s the state telling you what to wear. Where does it stop in terms of telling people how to take care of themselves?”

Fewer Accidents Motorcyclists in Orange County have suffered fewer injuries since January, when a controversial helmet law went into effect. However, fatalities increased in the county. Injuries (January through October) Orange County 1991: 926 1992: 698 Statewide 1991: 12, 849 1992: 9,526 Accidents (January through September) Orange County 1991: 863 1992: 811 Statewide 1991: 13,986 1992: 10,517 Fatalities (January through October) Orange County 1991: 20 1992: 25 Statewide 1991: 450 1992: 275 Source: California Highway Patrol Researched by ERIC YOUNG / Los Angeles Times