MOTORCYCLE HELMET USE, INJURY OUTCOME, AND HOSPITAL COSTS: A POPULATION-BASED STUDY OF MOTORCYCLE CRASH VICTIMS

Motorcycle related deaths and injuries are an important cause of mortality and morbidity in Washington. The injury severity and consequences of a motorcycle crash often are much greater than for an automobile crash. In Washington state during 1989 there were 27.4 rider fatalities per 1,000 motorcycle crashes as compared to 5.6 fatalities per 1,000 for all other motor vehicle crashes (WTSC, 1990). This difference represents a five-fold increase in fatality risk for motorcycle collisions. The present research was undertaken to examine the statewide impact of motorcycle-related trauma. By linking motorcycle crash data from state records to a statewide hospitalization database, the authors were able to obtain both crash and injury data, including costs of care, for an entire population. Helmeted versus non-helmeted motorcycle crash victims who were hospitalized were compared on the incidence and types of injuries, including head injury, and the corresponding costs of hospitalization in Washington state during 1989.

• Corporate Authors:

  Washington Traffic Safety Commission

  1000 South Cherry Street
  Olympia, WA  United States  98504
• Authors:
  • Salzburg, P
  • Rivara, F
  • Rowland, J
• Publication Date: 1991-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 14 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Costs; Fatalities; Head; Health care; Helmets; Injuries; Motorcycle crashes; Motorcyclists; Occupant protection devices; Population; Statistics
• Uncontrolled Terms: Head protection; Medical costs
• Geographic Terms: Washington (State)
• Old TRIS Terms: Injury statistics
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Finance; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Society; Vehicles and Equipment; I84: Personal Injuries;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00670196
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 20 1994 12:00AM