The effectiveness of helmets in reducing all-terrain vehicle injuries and deaths

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Abstract

This article examines the effectiveness of helmets in reducing all-terrain vehicle (ATV) related deaths and head injuries, conditional on the occurrence of injury producing accidents. A logit regression model is used to analyze cross-section data on ATV-related fatal and nonfatal injuries, and to determine the factors that are associated with deaths and head injuries. The results suggest that, given an accident resulting in injury or death, helmet use reduces the risk of death by about 42%, and could reduce the likelihood that a given nonfatal injury involves the head by about 64%. Other factors that are associated with the risk of fatality for injury accidents include the use of alcohol or drugs, driving on paved roads, the driver's age and sex, and the vehicle's engine size. A benefit-cost analysis of helmet use is conducted and policy implications are discussed.

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      A study examining ATV injuries over 6 years in the UK reported that head and face trauma were one of the most common injury sources (43%), and that helmet compliance was low (16%; Adil, Konstantinou, Porter, & Dolan, 2017). This is despite research reporting that nonfatal head injuries can be reduced by 64% and fatal injuries reduced by as much as 42% through helmet use (Rodgers, 1990). Many decisions surrounding helmet wearing while using ATVs are made by farmers directly rather than mandated by law.

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      In the current study, a slightly higher percentage of patients (18.8%) were wearing helmets at the time of their accident, however, this was 31.7% lower than the national rate (Adams, Aitken, Mullins, Miller, & Graham, 2013). Studies have reported that helmet use reduced the risk of death and head injury by 42% and 64%, respectively (Rodgers, 1990). Bowman et al. noted that helmet use was associated with lower rates of neck, face, TBI and death (Hall et al., 2009).

    • Larger ATV engine size correlates with an increased rate of traumatic brain injury

      2015, Injury
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      Additionally, our study population is at an even higher risk for intracranial haemorrhage, as helmet use was almost universally absent. It has been shown that there is a higher rate of intracranial haemorrhage among those who do not use a helmet [13,16–18]. The near complete absence of helmet use among our study population allows for us to effectively compare the two groups; however the rates cannot be extrapolated to riders in general, as the use helmets has been shown to be higher among other study populations [9,15,19].

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    The views are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the position of the CPSC or other members of its staff. Since the article was written in the author's official capacity, it is in the public domain and may be freely copied or reprinted.

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