title: Helmet use in Connecticut motorcycle crashes: a state without a universal helmet law.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Assess the association of helmet use with motorcycle crash mortality and identify characteristics of riders who do not wear helmets in Connecticut crashes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Police crash data for Connecticut motorcycle crashes 2001-2007 were analyzed. Bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regressions were performed including age, gender, seating position, road type, season, time of day, and recklessness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 9,214 crashes with helmet use data available, helmets were worn in 4072 (44.2%). Non-helmeted riders, age > or =18, riding interstate or state roads, in the evening or at night, and who were riding recklessly were associated with higher odds of fatality. Predictors of nonhelmet use included males, passengers, age <18 or 30 to 59, and riding in the summer, eveningor at night, and on U.S., state, and localroads.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Current crash data affirm that helmets reduce fatal crashes in Connecticut. A set of factors help predict nonhelmeted riders to whom safety training could be targeted.
authors.affiliation: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program, Yale University, New Haven, USA. alandman@partners.org
authors.forename: Adam B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Landman
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Phipps
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jawin
authors.forename: Lauri
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bolton
authors.forename: Carin M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Van Gelder
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kamin
authors.forename: Bill
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Teel
authors.forename: Federico E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Vaca
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003237:Connecticut / Q000453:epidemiology; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009049:Motorcycles / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors