Information on injuries, rider, crash and vehicle characteristics were obtained for 174 fatally injured and 379 nonfatally injured motorcyclists in Los Angeles County, California in 1988-1989. Helmet use was 25 percent among fatally injured riders and 31 percent in the nonfatally injured group. In both samples, not using helmets was associated with greater likelihood and greater severity of head injury, youthful age, Hispanic ethnicity, alcohol use, not owning the motorcycle or having vehicle liability insurance, and not being licensed to operate a motorcycle. This profile suggests that those not using helmets when helmet use is voluntary are a higher risk group than helmet users, and thus more in need of the protection helmets provide. Helmet use laws, which characteristically increase use rates to close to 100 percent, are an effective way to reduce their injuries. (A)
Abstract