Motorcycle riding is an accessible and cheap form of transport for many people worldwide, particularly in low and middle income countries, where other forms of private transport are not affordable. Motorcycle riders, however, account for a relatively high proportion of road traffic-related fatalities and injuries in such countries (Mohan 2002). Motorcyclists are vulnerable road users. The structure of the motorcycle allows for only minimal protection when motorcyclists are involved in crashes with other vehicles. The wearing of a helmet may reduce crash-related head injury by 72% (Liu 2004). However, many countries around the world do not have any legislation requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets. Over time, many states in the USA have repealed or weakened motorcycle helmet legislation (Hartunian 1983). At least three USA states do not currently require helmet use and 27 states require helmets for a specific section of the community only, usually those aged under 18 years (NHTSA 2001). Helmet use among riders killed in the USA increased from 43% to 53% in 1999; almost half of motorcyclists killed were not wearing helmets (NHTSA 2001). Legislation and enforcement accompanied by public acceptance of an intervention, is likely to dramatically increase helmet wearing at a population level. Given the protection afforded by motorcycle helmets, high helmet wearing rates should translate into reductions in population head injury and death rates. For countries where motorcycle riding is a common form of transport but helmet use is low, helmet legislation may be a cost-effective way to dramatically reduce the burden of injury in the community. (Author/publisher)
Abstract