title: The effects of motorcycle helmet use between hospitals in states with and without a mandatory helmet law.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Motorcycle injuries and mortality are different depending on the use of a helmet. Helmet use varies greatly depending on state laws.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study using trauma registry data from two Level 1 Trauma Centers in states with (NY) and without (CT) a mandatory helmet law, from 1996 through 1998.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Motorcycle accident victims in both states were similar for sex, age, RTS, TRISS probability of survival, GCS on arrival and ISS. Helmet use was higher in New York than in Connecticut (91% vs 18%, P < .01). Mortality was higher in Connecticut than in New York (15% vs 6%, P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The demographics and injury severity of motorcycle accident victims presenting to Level 1 Trama Centers were very similar in the two adjoining states. The most significant difference between the states is that of helmet use. This is closely related to the decreased mortality rate and the higher GCS at discharge seen in the state with the mandatory helmet law.
authors.affiliation: New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Proscia
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cuff
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nealon
authors.forename: Nabil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Atweh
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: DiRusso
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bandanza
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality*; D000328:Adult; D003237:Connecticut / Q000453:epidemiology; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009049:Motorcycles / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies