Risky behaviors that have been identified as social problems have become the concern of social institutions, such as cigarette smoking in public establishments. On the streets and highways, the riding in automobiles without seat belts and of motorcycling without helmets has been identified as social problems. As social problems rather than as strictly personal ones, these self-risking behaviors may carry implications for the jurisprudence of American social control. Using a case study, this article sought to highlight the central mechanisms that have driven helmet laws. Motorcycle helmet laws became a primary focus because of their dynamic qualities. The simple act of placing a helmet on one’s head appears to be laden with strong public opinion. The article begins with a brief overview of the history of helmet laws. This followed by a review of the literature, specifically Tittle’s (1994) integrated model of formal social control. The article employs Tittle’s model toward identifying the major social mechanisms that have influenced the directions of helmet laws. Implications of helmet and similar laws are presented and discussed. Table, figure, references