Journal article
The Impact of Michigan's Partial Repeal of the Universal Motorcycle Helmet Law on Helmet Use, Fatalities, and Head Injuries
American Journal of Public Health, Vol.107(1), pp.166-172
2017
PMID: 27854530
Abstract
Objectives. To evaluate the impact of the partial repeal of Michigan’s universal motorcycle helmet law on helmet use, fatalities, and head injuries.
Methods. We compared helmet use rates and motorcycle crash fatality risk for the 12 months before and after the April 13, 2012, repeal with a statewide police-reported crash data set. We linked police-reported crashes to injured riders in a statewide trauma registry. We compared head injury before and after the repeal. Regression examined the effect of helmet use on fatality and head injury risk.
Results. Helmet use decreased in crash (93.2% vs 70.8%; P < .001) and trauma data (91.1% vs 66.2%; P < .001) after the repeal. Although fatalities did not change overall (3.3% vs 3.2%; P = .87), head injuries (43.4% vs 49.6%; P < .05) and neurosurgical intervention increased (3.7% vs 6.5%; P < .05). Male gender (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.65), helmet nonuse (AOR = 1.84), alcohol intoxication (AOR = 11.31), intersection crashes (AOR = 1.62), and crashes at higher speed limits (AOR = 1.04) increased fatality risk. Helmet nonuse (AOR = 2.31) and alcohol intoxication (AOR = 2.81) increased odds of head injury.
Conclusions. Michigan’s helmet law repeal resulted in a 24% to 27% helmet use decline among riders in crashes and a 14% increase in head injury.
Details
- Title
- The Impact of Michigan's Partial Repeal of the Universal Motorcycle Helmet Law on Helmet Use, Fatalities, and Head Injuries
- Authors
- Patrick M Carter (Corresponding Author) - University of Michigan–Ann ArborLisa Buckley - University of Michigan–Ann ArborCarol A C Flannagan - University of Michigan–Ann ArborJessica B Cicchino - Insurance Institute for Highway SafetyMark Hemmila - University of Michigan–Ann ArborPatrick J Bowman - University of Michigan–Ann ArborFarideh Almani - University of Michigan–Ann ArborC Raymond Bingham - University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
- Publication details
- American Journal of Public Health, Vol.107(1), pp.166-172
- Publisher
- American Public Health Association
- Date published
- 2017
- DOI
- 10.2105/AJPH.2016.303525
- ISSN
- 1541-0048
- PMID
- 27854530
- Organisation Unit
- School of Law and Society; Road Safety Research Collaboration
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991043790902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
2 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Web Of Science research areas
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites