Yinan Peng1, Namita Vaidya2, Ramona Finnie2, Jeffrey Reynolds2, Cristian Dumitru2, Gibril Njie2, Randy Elder2, Rebecca Ivers3, Chika Sakashita3, Ruth A Shults4, David A Sleet4, Richard P Compton5. 1. Community Guide Branch, Division of Public Health Information Dissemination, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia. Electronic address: ypeng@cdc.gov. 2. Community Guide Branch, Division of Public Health Information Dissemination, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia. 3. The George Institute, Sydney, Australia. 4. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC, Atlanta, Georgia. 5. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, District of Columbia.
Abstract
CONTEXT: Motorcycle crashes account for a disproportionate number of motor vehicle deaths and injuries in the U.S. Motorcycle helmet use can lead to an estimated 42% reduction in risk for fatal injuries and a 69% reduction in risk for head injuries. However, helmet use in the U.S. has been declining and was at 60% in 2013. The current review examines the effectiveness of motorcycle helmet laws in increasing helmet use and reducing motorcycle-related deaths and injuries. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Databases relevant to health or transportation were searched from database inception to August 2012. Reference lists of reviews, reports, and gray literature were also searched. Analysis of the data was completed in 2014. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A total of 60 U.S. studies qualified for inclusion in the review. Implementing universal helmet laws increased helmet use (median, 47 percentage points); reduced total deaths (median, -32%) and deaths per registered motorcycle (median, -29%); and reduced total injuries (median, -32%) and injuries per registered motorcycle (median, -24%). Repealing universal helmet laws decreased helmet use (median, -39 percentage points); increased total deaths (median, 42%) and deaths per registered motorcycle (median, 24%); and increased total injuries (median, 41%) and injuries per registered motorcycle (median, 8%). CONCLUSIONS: Universal helmet laws are effective in increasing motorcycle helmet use and reducing deaths and injuries. These laws are effective for motorcyclists of all ages, including younger operators and passengers who would have already been covered by partial helmet laws. Repealing universal helmet laws decreased helmet use and increased deaths and injuries. Published by Elsevier Inc.
CONTEXT: Motorcycle crashes account for a disproportionate number of motor vehicle deaths and injuries in the U.S. Motorcycle helmet use can lead to an estimated 42% reduction in risk for fatal injuries and a 69% reduction in risk for head injuries. However, helmet use in the U.S. has been declining and was at 60% in 2013. The current review examines the effectiveness of motorcycle helmet laws in increasing helmet use and reducing motorcycle-related deaths and injuries. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Databases relevant to health or transportation were searched from database inception to August 2012. Reference lists of reviews, reports, and gray literature were also searched. Analysis of the data was completed in 2014. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A total of 60 U.S. studies qualified for inclusion in the review. Implementing universal helmet laws increased helmet use (median, 47 percentage points); reduced total deaths (median, -32%) and deaths per registered motorcycle (median, -29%); and reduced total injuries (median, -32%) and injuries per registered motorcycle (median, -24%). Repealing universal helmet laws decreased helmet use (median, -39 percentage points); increased total deaths (median, 42%) and deaths per registered motorcycle (median, 24%); and increased total injuries (median, 41%) and injuries per registered motorcycle (median, 8%). CONCLUSIONS: Universal helmet laws are effective in increasing motorcycle helmet use and reducing deaths and injuries. These laws are effective for motorcyclists of all ages, including younger operators and passengers who would have already been covered by partial helmet laws. Repealing universal helmet laws decreased helmet use and increased deaths and injuries. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Authors: Victoria Espitia-Hardeman; Luis Vélez; Edgar Muñoz; María Isabel Gutiérrez-Martínez; Rafael Espinosa-Vallín; Alberto Concha-Eastman Journal: Salud Publica Mex Date: 2008
Authors: Kimberly M Auman; Joseph A Kufera; Michael F Ballesteros; John E Smialek; Patricia C Dischinger Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2002-08 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Jeremy Howard; Austin Huang; Zhiyuan Li; Zeynep Tufekci; Vladimir Zdimal; Helene-Mari van der Westhuizen; Arne von Delft; Amy Price; Lex Fridman; Lei-Han Tang; Viola Tang; Gregory L Watson; Christina E Bax; Reshama Shaikh; Frederik Questier; Danny Hernandez; Larry F Chu; Christina M Ramirez; Anne W Rimoin Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2021-01-26 Impact factor: 12.779
Authors: Sergio M Navarro; Victor R Vakayil; Rafat H Solaiman; Evan J Keil; Matthew W Cohen; Ellen J Spartz; Christopher J Tignanelli; James V Harmon Journal: BMC Emerg Med Date: 2022-09-01
Authors: Lisa N Sharwood; Annette Kifley; Ashley Craig; Bamini Gopinath; Jagnoor Jagnoor; Ian D Cameron Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2021-11-02 Impact factor: 3.295