THE EFFECTS OF MOTORCYCLE HELMETS UPON SEEING AND HEARING. FINAL REPORT

This study assessed the effects of motorcycle helmets upon seeing and hearing by having 50 riders operate over a test route, changing lanes in response to an audible signal under three helmet conditions: none, partial coverage, and full coverage. Half of the subjects were assessed for the degree of head rotation during lane changes, while the other half were assessed for hearing threshold (decibel level at which they first responded to the signal). Results showed that subjects in the vision study increased the degree of head rotation in proportion to the vision restrictions imposed by the helmet, though not to the full extent of the restriction. Subjects in the hearing study evidenced no differences in hearing thresholds across the three helmet conditions. The authors conclude that the effects of helmets upon the ability to see and hear are, at most, far too small to compromise the safety benefits offered by head protection.

  • Corporate Authors:

    National Public Services Research Institute

    8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 230
    Landover, MD  United States  20785

    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

    1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
    Washington, DC  United States  20590
  • Authors:
    • McKnight, A J
    • McKnight, A S
  • Publication Date: 1994-2

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 20 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00725635
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: HS-808 399
  • Contract Numbers: DTNH22-92-P-05282/05258
  • Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
  • Created Date: Sep 23 1996 12:00AM