This report looks at the measurement of how effective motorcycle helmets are in preventing fatalities in motorcycle crashes. Based on a comparison of crashes involving motorcycles with two occupants, at least one of whom was killed, the method uses data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) to estimate helmet effectiveness. Technological changes over the past 15 years have led to improvements in helmet design and materials. Recalculating the effectiveness of helmets in preventing fatalities, using more recent data, shows that helmets have indeed improved in this respect. The effectiveness of helmets has increased from 29 percent in 1982 through 1987 to 37 percent over the years 1993 through 2002. The significance of this improvement is that over the same period, helmets have saved the lives of 7,808 riders. The potential number of lives saved over the period is even higher, at 11,915. Unfortunately, the declining rate of helmet use among motorcyclists has contributed to rising numbers of rider fatalities despite the improved life saving qualities of helmets.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Motorcycle Helmet Effectiveness Revisited


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2004


    Size :

    30 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English







    Motorcycle Helmet

    European Patent Office | 2017

    Free access

    Electronic motorcycle helmet

    COOKE BRUCE | European Patent Office | 2022

    Free access