Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2017 Jun;52(6):820-832.
doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2016.11.030.

Universal Motorcycle Helmet Laws to Reduce Injuries: A Community Guide Systematic Review

Yinan Peng  1 , Namita Vaidya  2 , Ramona Finnie  2 , Jeffrey Reynolds  2 , Cristian Dumitru  2 , Gibril Njie  2 , Randy Elder  2 , Rebecca Ivers  3 , Chika Sakashita  3 , Ruth A Shults  4 , David A Sleet  4 , Richard P Compton  5 ; Community Preventive Services Task Force
Affiliations

Universal Motorcycle Helmet Laws to Reduce Injuries: A Community Guide Systematic Review

Yinan Peng et al. Am J Prev Med. 2017 Jun.

Abstract

Context: Motorcycle crashes account for a disproportionate number of motor vehicle deaths and injuries in the U.S. Motorcycle helmet use can lead to an estimated 42% reduction in risk for fatal injuries and a 69% reduction in risk for head injuries. However, helmet use in the U.S. has been declining and was at 60% in 2013. The current review examines the effectiveness of motorcycle helmet laws in increasing helmet use and reducing motorcycle-related deaths and injuries.

Evidence acquisition: Databases relevant to health or transportation were searched from database inception to August 2012. Reference lists of reviews, reports, and gray literature were also searched. Analysis of the data was completed in 2014.

Evidence synthesis: A total of 60 U.S. studies qualified for inclusion in the review. Implementing universal helmet laws increased helmet use (median, 47 percentage points); reduced total deaths (median, -32%) and deaths per registered motorcycle (median, -29%); and reduced total injuries (median, -32%) and injuries per registered motorcycle (median, -24%). Repealing universal helmet laws decreased helmet use (median, -39 percentage points); increased total deaths (median, 42%) and deaths per registered motorcycle (median, 24%); and increased total injuries (median, 41%) and injuries per registered motorcycle (median, 8%).

Conclusions: Universal helmet laws are effective in increasing motorcycle helmet use and reducing deaths and injuries. These laws are effective for motorcyclists of all ages, including younger operators and passengers who would have already been covered by partial helmet laws. Repealing universal helmet laws decreased helmet use and increased deaths and injuries.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Search results.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Impact of implementing UHLs on fatality outcomes. UHL, universal helmet law.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Impact of repealing UHLs on fatality outcomes. UHL, universal helmet law.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. National Center for Statistics and Analysis. Motorcycles: 2013 data. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2015. Report No.: DOT HS 812 148
    1. Government Accountability Office. Motorcycle Safety: Increasing Federal Funding Flexibility and Identifying Research Priorities Would Help Support States’ Safety Efforts. Washington, DC: U.S. GAO, 2012: 13–42.
    1. Liu B, Ivers R, Norton R, Boufous S, Blows S, Lo S. Helmets for preventing injury in motorcycle riders. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008(1):CD004333 10.1002/14651858.cd004333.pub3. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Pickrell TM, Liu C. Motorcycle helmet use in 2013—overall results. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; 2014. Report No.: DOT HS 812 010.
    1. Pickrell TM, Ye TJ. Motorcycle helmet use in 2012—overall results. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; 2013. Report No.: DOT HS 811 759.

Publication types

MeSH terms