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308429
Motorcycle Crash Helmet Use and Injuries Following Repeal of Michigan's Motorcycle Helmet Law
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
: 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Patrick Carter, M.D.
,
Emergency Medicine and UM Injury Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Carol Flannagan, PhD
,
Transportation Research Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Lisa Buckley, PhD
,
University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Jonathan Rupp, PhD
,
Transportation Research Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Jessica Cicchino, PhD
,
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Arlington, VA
C. Raymond Bingham, PhD
,
Transportation Research Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Purpose: To evaluate the effects of Michigan’s motorcycle helmet law repeal on helmet use and fatal/serious injury (F/SI) among crash-involved riders. Methods: Data were obtained from the Michigan State Police for all police-reported crashes before and after the helmet law repeal (2008-2012). Helmet use and F/SI rates were compared overall, and by rider position, gender, and alcohol use. Multivariate regression modeled the effect of helmet use on F/SI and estimated the number of preventable injuries. Results: The overall crash fatality rate was unchanged (3.4%-vs.-3.3%) following the repeal and crash-involved riders (86%-male; 93%>21 years-old; 92% in-state) were similar to prior years. However, helmet use among crash-involved riders decreased significantly after the repeal (74%-vs.-98%) and the fatality rate among non-helmeted riders was 2.8-times that of helmeted riders. Crash-involved helmet use did not vary by rider position or gender, but drinking riders had lower rates of helmet use than non-drinking riders (54% vs. 76%). Regression modeling identified that being unhelmeted doubled rider fatality risk (OR=2.01) and increased serious-injury risk by over 50% (OR=1.51), with an estimated 26 fatalities and 49 serious injuries that could have been prevented by helmet use. Conclusions: Michigan’s motorcycle helmet law repeal led to less helmet use among crash-involved riders. While not impacting the overall crash-fatality rate, helmet use was significantly predictive of F/SI. Further, universal helmet use among crash-involved riders would have prevented a significant number of deaths and serious injuries. Until repeals are reversed, innovative strategies to increase helmet use should be explored to prevent injury.
Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related public policy
Learning Objectives:
Identify the effects of a state-wide motorcycle helmet law repeal on crash-involved helmet use, as well as fatal and serious injury resulting from crashes.
Keyword(s): Prevention, Violence & Injury Prevention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Dr. Carter is an injury researcher and emergency physician at the University of Michigan Injury Center/Medical School. His focus of research is on alcohol-involved motor vechicle crashes and he is currently funded along with the other authors on a study evaluating the motorcycle helmet law repeal.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
