So far this year, 108 motorists have died in Iowa, eight of which were motorcyclists. In 2014, 51 people operating, or passengers on, motorcycles died in Iowa, the most occurring in July and August. Of the 51 deaths last year, fewer than 24% were wearing helmets.

Iowa is one of three states that does not have a motorcycle helmet use law, the other two are Illinois and New Hampshire. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that helmets saved the lives of nearly 1,700 motorcyclists in 2012.