The patterns of motorcyclist injuries and fatalities vary across the world. The use of motorcycles is increasing in highly-motorised societies, particularly in older age groups. The patterns of injury are different from other road users; high helmet usage has reduced head injuries, but the risk of lower region injuries is very high. Regarding protective equipment, protection of the lower limb has become a priority and helmet styles and design need on-going research and development, particularly for use in hot countries. Use of protective clothing has helped to reduce soft tissue injuries from road impact. Accurate determination of rider kinematics and injury causation is complex, requiring improved modelling techniques. Areas for further knowledge include identification of the relative benefits of leg protectors; further improvements in helmet design; identification of influences of protection when using mopeds or scooters; development and improvement of rider dummies and other testing techniques and equipment; better knowledge about the influence of the collision angle; more information about the changing distribution of rider age groups; collision avoidance tools; collision and injury factors of quad-bikes and quad-riders; and investigation into the effects guardrails and pillar protectors.
Samenvatting