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Although the number of motorcycle deaths has dropped two-percent in the first nine months of last year, transportation officials are not necessarily without worry. In fact, some officials feel the number of deaths is starting to rise again. A report released by the Governors Highway Safety Association revealed there were 80 fewer motorcycle deaths from January through September 2010. However, the number of fatalities during the last 3 months of 2010 began to climb. Safety advocates are worried this trend will also occur in 2010. Overall, motorcycle fatalities are more than doubled since the 1990s, peaking at 2008 in 5,312 deaths. With the economic downfall in 2009, motorcycle fatalities decreased 16%. However, what actually caused the plunge in deaths is up for debate. Another concern for safety advocates are the types of helmets motorcyclists are wearing, if they are wearing helmets at all. The number of motorcyclists wearing federally-approved, impact-absorbing helmets has dropped 13% in the first three-quarters of 2010. Simultaneously, the number of motorcyclists wearing “novelty” helmets rose 9%. “Novelty” helmets are lightweight and provide little protection. Some advocates say the novelty helmets are worn by motorcyclists so they can avoid being ticketed for not wearing a helmet. The helmet laws are a related concern. Less than half the states (20 states to be exact), have mandatory helmet laws and only 13 states specify the helmets be federally-approved. For more information on this topic read Recent motorcycle fatalities and trends.