That was the odd result of a recent poll by the Scripps Survey Research Center. A clear majority of those who had either driven or ridden on a motorcycle without a helmet said helmets should be required.

The replies from all those surveyed was even more lopsided: 71 percent said helmet use should be required, while only 26 percent said helmets should be voluntary, and 3 percent were undecided.

The survey also found that mandatory helmet laws have broad support across all demographic lines. Eighty-one percent of women and 61 percent of men support them, as do people of different age, racial, political and educational groups.

Nonetheless, dozens of states, including South Carolina, have repealed laws that once required adult motorcyclists to wear safety helmets. This survey clearly indicates that lawmakers who enacted the repeals were catering to a small minority of vocal helmet opponents.

Federal statistics released last week show motorcycle deaths in 2005 rose to 4,553, a 13 percent increase over 2004. Motorcyclists now account for more than 10 percent of all highway deaths, the highest percentage on record.

Not all of that increase can be attributed to the lack of helmet laws. The nation also is experiencing the phenomenon of more baby boomers, inexperienced at riding motorcycles, buying them for a midlife thrill. Unfortunately, that age group is among the most frequent to show up in the accident statistics.

Clearly, however, helmet laws can save lives, just as mandatory seat belt laws do. Safety officials say they can declare "with absolute certainty" that helmets will increase the likelihood of surviving a crash.

Even the non-helmet wearers are asking states to save them from their own poor judgment. What are lawmakers waiting for?

IN SUMMARY
Even most of the people who don't wear helmets are clamoring for helmet laws.