Motorcycle helmet effectiveness in reducing head, face and brain injuries by state and helmet law

Abstract

BackgroundDespite evidence that motorcycle helmets reduce morbidity and mortality, helmet laws and rates of helmet use vary by state in the U.S.MethodsWe pooled data from eleven states: five with universal laws requiring all motorcyclists to wear a helmet, and six with partial laws requiring only a subset of motorcyclists to wear a helmet. Data were combined in the Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System’s General Use Model and included motorcycle crash records probabilistically linked to emergency department and inpatient discharges for years 2005-2008. Medical outcomes were compared between partial and universal helmet law settings. We estimated adjusted relative risks (RR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for head, facial, traumatic brain, and moderate to severe head/facial injuries associated with helmet use within each helmet law setting using generalized log-binomial regression.ResultsReported helmet use was higher in universal law states (88 % vs. 42 %). Median charges, adjusted for inflation and differences in state-incomes, were higher in partial law states (emergency department $1987 vs. $1443; inpatient $31,506 vs. $25,949). Injuries to the head and face, including traumatic brain injuries, were more common in partial law states. Effectiveness estimates of helmet use were higher in partial law states (adjusted-RR (CI) of head injury: 2.1 (1.9-2.2) partial law single vehicle; 1.4 (1.2, 1.6) universal law single vehicle; 1.8 (1.6-2.0) partial law multi-vehicle; 1.2 (1.1-1.4) universal law multi-vehicle).ConclusionsMedical charges and rates of head, facial, and brain injuries among motorcyclists were lower in universal law states. Helmets were effective in reducing injury in both helmet law settings; lower effectiveness estimates were observed in universal law states.

Helmet Wearing and Traumatic Brain Injuries Among Motorcyclists in Cotonou

“…It confirms the fact that wearing a helmet would reduce the severity of primary injuries, and thus the morbidity and mortality associated with traumatic brain injuries, although the quality of the helmet depends on the type of helmet and the way it is worn [15].…”

Helmet use among motorcycle accident victims in the north-east region of Jamaica

“…Not only is wearing a helmet important but the quality of the helmet worn plays a role in the incidence and severity of head injury. Helmets, which had a harder outer shell with a thicker internal lining, are associated with significantly lower head injury rates than helmets with inferior designs (Olsen et al, 2016). Certain states in the United States of America have laws making helmet wearing mandatory and have near 100% compliance compared to states with more relaxed helmet laws, which have far less compliance and many more head injuries (Olsen et al, 2016).…”

Comparison of Urban Off-Road Vehicle and Motorcycle Injuries at a Level 1 Trauma Center

“…13,14 When we examined helmet compliance, the MC population was 90.2% compliant consistent with previous studies in states with helmet laws. 15,16 The high compliance rate is likely a result of New Jersey's law requiring all motorcyclists to be helmeted. 17 Interestingly, the UORV population was less likely to be helmeted (MC: 90.2% versus UORV: 39.6%; P < 0.05) despite mandatory helmet laws.…”