title: Observation of motorcycle helmet use rates in Michigan after partial repeal of the universal motorcycle helmet law.
abstract: Motorcycle crashes result in a significant health burden, including many fatal injuries and serious non-fatal head injuries. Helmets are highly effective in preventing such trauma, and jurisdictions that require helmet use of all motorcyclists have higher rates of helmet use and lower rates of head injuries among motorcyclists. The current study examines helmet use and characteristics of helmeted operators and their riding conditions in Michigan, following a weakening of the state's universal motorcycle helmet use law in April 2012. Data on police-reported crashes occurring during 2012-14 and from a stratified roadside observational survey undertaken in Southeast Michigan during May-September 2014 were used to estimate statewide helmet use rates. Observed helmet use was more common among operators of sports motorcycles, on freeways, and in the morning, and least common among operators of cruisers, on minor arterials, and in the afternoon. The rate of helmet use across the state was estimated at 75%, adjusted for roadway type, motorcycle class, and time of day. Similarly, the helmet use rate found from examination of crash records was 73%. In the observation survey, 47% of operators wore jackets, 94% wore long pants, 54% wore boots, and 80% wore gloves. Protective clothing of jackets and gloves was most often worn by sport motorcycle operators and long pants and boots most often by riders of touring motorcycles. Findings highlight the much lower rate of helmet use in Michigan compared with states that have a universal helmet use law, although the rate is higher than observed in many states with partial helmet laws. Targeted interventions aimed at specific groups of motorcyclists and situations where helmet use rates are particularly low should be considered to increase helmet use.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, 2901 Baxter Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; University of Michigan Injury Center, University of Michigan School of Medicine, 2800 Plymouth Road, NCRC 10-G080, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, United States. Electronic address: lisadb@umich.edu.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Buckley
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, 2901 Baxter Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; University of Michigan Injury Center, University of Michigan School of Medicine, 2800 Plymouth Road, NCRC 10-G080, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, United States.
authors.forename: C Raymond
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Bingham
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, 2901 Baxter Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; University of Michigan Injury Center, University of Michigan School of Medicine, 2800 Plymouth Road, NCRC 10-G080, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, United States.
authors.forename: Carol A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Flannagan
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan Injury Center, University of Michigan School of Medicine, 2800 Plymouth Road, NCRC 10-G080, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, United States; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, United States; Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, United States.
authors.forename: Patrick M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, 2901 Baxter Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States.
authors.forename: Farideh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Almani
authors.affiliation: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 1005 North Glebe Road, Suite 800, Arlington, VA 22201, United States.
authors.forename: Jessica B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Cicchino
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan; D008875:Middle Aged; D009049:Motorcycles / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Crash data; Helmet; Helmet law; Motorcycle; Observation study