Biker Deaths Down??? And the why is...........

So the headline reads: 
Motorcycle deaths drop, but overall trend is worrisome
Advocates worry the drop doesn't signal a lasting improvement in safety 

We take issue with any Motorcycle statistics that refer to percentages.  As Artie H., who did the math demonstrates,

Couple of Important notables:

Motorcycle deaths dropped 2 percent in the first nine months of last year,

 

then later:

The number of motorcyclists wearing federally-approved, impact-absorbing helmets dropped 13 percent in the first nine months of 2010. At the same time, motorcyclists wearing so called "novelty" helmets — which are lightweight and offer little protection — rose 9 percent.

 

and next:

A helmet that meets federal standards reduces the wearer's chances of being killed in an accident by about 40 percent (apparently NOT!!!)

 

Did I miss something?  LOL!!!

 

Looks to me like there is a lot less helmet use but still a drop in fatalities, so how can they make the last statement and correlate the data with it?

Of course we both know that the only thing a helmet does when that 8000 lb. SUV runs over you is leave a decent corpse for the open-casket.

This writers contention is and remains, they have no freaking clue how many motorcycles or motorcyclists are using the roads. Therefor there is no way they can count anything!

Example, I personally own 5 helmets (and two MC's). One I accidentally burnt up and the other I accidentally split when I accidentally busted my head head on a car bumper that a deer accidentally jumped out in front of (this is a chain of events we do not recommend, unless you like Locust noises in your head).