Helmet Use and Bicycle-Related Trauma in Patients Presenting to an Acute Hospital in Singapore

This article reports on a study undertaken to describe the relationship between bicycle helmet use and injury pattern sustained by patients presenting to an emergency department (ED) in Singapore for bicycle-related trauma. The authors collected data on all individuals treated for bicycle-related trauma between September 1, 2004 and May 31, 2005 (n = 160) using a closed-ended questionnaire. This population of bicyclists had a mean age of 34.4 years (range 10 to 89 years), 80% were male, and 30.6% were non-residents. Helmets were worn by 10.6% of the patients. Alcohol was clinically detected in 11.3% of bicyclists. Compared to younger bicyclists, bicyclists aged 30 years or older tended not to wear helmets. Compared to recreational or sport bicyclists, those who commute by bicycle also tended not to wear helmets. Comparing the helmeted group with the non-helmeted group, injury patterns by body region were: head injury 5.9% in the helmeted riders versus 40.0% in the non-helmeted group; and facial injury 5.9% in the helmeted group versus 37.1% in the non-helmeted group. Further analyses showed that not wearing a helmet, being hit by a motor vehicle, and age were significantly associated with higher injury severity scores. The authors conclude that a campaign to promote use of bicycle helmets should be implemented. Authorities should also consider compulsory helmet laws for bicyclists and expanding anti-drunk driving campaigns to target alcohol-intoxicated bicyclists.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00375675
• Authors:
  • Heng, K W
  • Lee, AH
  • Zhu, S
  • Tham, K Y
  • Seow, E
• Publication Date: 2006-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 367-372
• Serial:
  • Singapore Medical Journal
  • Volume: 47
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: Singapore Medical Association
  • ISSN: 0037-5675

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Age groups; Bicycle helmets; Bicycling; Commuters; Crash injuries; Cyclists; Helmet use; Injury severity; Risk assessment
• Uncontrolled Terms: Head injuries; Maxillofacial injuries
• Geographic Terms: Singapore
• Subject Areas: Highways; Passenger Transportation; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; Society; Vehicles and Equipment; I84: Personal Injuries; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01050104
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 30 2007 3:04PM