Texas bikers' freedom to ride the open road without a helmet has resulted in a sharp increase in deadly crashes, according to a new study.

The study, published in the January edition of Southern Medical Journal, found that in the seven years after Texas repealed its mandatory motorcycle helmet law in 1997, fatality rates per vehicle miles traveled increased by roughly 25 percent.

�This study shows that it's bad public policy to repeal mandatory motorcycle helmet laws,� said Al Vabon, a professor in the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service and co-author of the study. �Motorcyclists not wearing helmets are having an adverse effect on highway safety in Texas.�

Details.