Motorcycle helmet use in fatal crashes among US riders ages 15-20, 1997-2007

Background/Purpose: Most studies examining factors related to helmet use in motorcycle-related fatalities have focused on all age groups or riders ages 21 and older. The objective of this study is to examine factors associated with helmet use in fatal crashes among motorcycle riders ages 15-20. Methods: This is a retrospective study using data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) from 1997-2007. It includes only fatal crashes where at least one motorcycle rider was fatally injured. A logistic regression model will examine the relationship between motorcycle helmet use and the following independent variables: age, gender, license status, date/time of crash, injury severity, alcohol impairment, vehicle type and size, state helmet law at time of accident, roadway/crash characteristics, and light/weather conditions. State helmet laws are grouped according to the age at which riders were required to wear helmets: universal (all ages or <=0 years), partial (<=8 years), and none (<=4 years or no law). Chi square analysis will test associations between motorcycle fatalities and categorical variables. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals also will be calculated. Results/Outcomes: Our hypothesis is that state helmet laws will be a significant factor in the number of motorcyle riders who were killed while wearing helmets. Conclusions: This is one of the first studies examining motorcycle-related fatalities and helmet use among young riders in the US and the influence of legislation. This information will be useful to understand factors involved in these crashes and to develop countermeasures to reduce motorcycle-related fatalities in this population.