Details:

Alternative Title:
Am J Prev Med
Personal Author:
Peng, Yinan ; Vaidya, Namita ; Finnie, Ramona ; Reynolds, Jeffrey ; Dumitru, Cristian ; ... More +
Peng, Yinan ; Vaidya, Namita ; Finnie, Ramona ; Reynolds, Jeffrey ; Dumitru, Cristian ; Njie, Gibril ; Elder, Randy ; Ivers, Rebecca ; Sakashita, Chika ; Shults, Ruth A. ; Sleet, David A. ; Compton, Richard P. Less -
Description:
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.


Subjects:
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Accidents, Traffic Article Craniocerebral Trauma Databases, Factual Head Protective Devices Humans Motorcycles
Source:
Am J Prev Med. 52(6):820-832
Pubmed ID:
28526357
Pubmed Central ID:
PMC6918948
Document Type:
Journal Article
Funding:
CC999999/ImCDC/Intramural CDC HHS/United States
Collection(s):
CDC Public Access
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:355895eca434c14fdf07eb6190a5ee8446b46f98fcc67b6261f0b1611c7607e7
Download URL:
https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/83667/cdc_83667_DS1.pdf
File Type:

Supporting Files

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  	NIHMS984750-supplement-Appendix.pdf	pdf

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