The prevalence of non-standard helmet use and head injuries among motorcycle riders.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the prevalence of non-standard helmet use among motorcycle riders following introduction of a mandatory helmet use law and the prevalence of head injuries among a sample of non-standard helmet users involved in motorcycle crashes.


METHODS
Motorcycle rider observations were conducted at 29 statewide locations in the 2 years following the introduction of the mandatory helmet use law in January, 1992. Medical records of motorcyclists who were injured in 1992 for whom a crash report was available and for whom medical care was administered in one of 28 hospitals were reviewed. Chi-squares and analysis of variance were used to describe differences between groups.


RESULTS
Prevalence of non-standard helmet use averaged 10.2%, with a range across observation sites from 0 to 48.0%. Non-standard helmet use varied by type of roadway, day of week, and time of day. Injuries to the head were more frequent and of greater severity among those wearing non-standard helmets than both those wearing no helmet and those wearing standard helmets.


CONCLUSIONS
Non-standard helmets appear to offer little head protection during a crash. Future study is needed to understand the dynamics leading to head injury when different types of helmets are worn.
Peek-Asa
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Southern California Injury Prevention Research Center, UCLA School of Public Health 90095-1772, USA. cpeekasa@ucla.edu
McArthur
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DL
Kraus
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JF
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002140:California; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D009049:Motorcycles