FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 16, 2006
Contact Persons: Tina Whitlow, Barren River District Health Department (270) 781-8039 ext. 185, tinam.whitlow@ky.gov
It’s Not “Hog” Heaven From the Emergency Room
From 2000 through 2004, 287 Warren County residents found their way from a motorcycle ride to the hospital Emergency Department. What frustrates local emergency medical personnel is that so many of these serious injuries might have been prevented if riders had simply worn protective helmets. Observational studies by the Barren River District Health Department show that a little less than half of Warren County motorcycle riders are riding without a helmet.
Head injuries are the leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that motorcycle helmets reduce the likelihood of a crash fatality by 37%.In 2003, 3,661 motorcyclists died and approximately 67,000 were injured in highway crashes in the United States.
A 1994 study by the National Public Services Research Institute found that wearing helmets does not conflict with vision or hearing. Although the newer helmets are designed for better safety and comfort, the Institute reports that the number of riders who actually use them has dropped. NHTSA officials blame this on law changes in states that no longer require helmet use by all motorcycle riders. Motorcycle helmet use laws are the most effective ways to increase helmet use. These laws are also easily enforced, since law officers can tell instantly if riders are wearing helmets.
In 1998, Kentucky was one of six state legislatures to change their mind about helmet laws. As of now, there are only 20 states plus the District of Columbia that have an “all riders” law in place. Under Kentucky’s current law, helmets are only required for riders under the age of 21, riders operating a motorcycle with an instruction permit, and riders with less than one year of experience. An evaluation of this new law found that by 2003 helmet usage rates in Kentucky had dropped sharply from 96% to only 56%. Motorcycle deaths had more than doubled, with injury rates rising as well.
States that have passed a universal helmet law are seeing dramatic cuts in death due to motorcycle crashes. Dennis Chaney, Director of the Barren River District Health Department, encourages Kentucky legislators to consider legislation that requires ALL motorcycle riders to wear helmets. Our view on motorcycle safety makes these points:
1)
motorcycle helmets save lives and reduce head
injuries to motorcyclists in crashes;
2)
helmet laws for all riders increase helmet
usage; and
3)
helmet laws reduce community costs
resulting from injuries and deaths in motorcycle crashes.
Head injuries are not the only cause of motorcycle crash deaths. A rider could still die from other traumatic injuries suffered in a crash. But helmets are the most important protection available.
###
PROMOTE • PROTECT • PREVENT
Home - Health Info. - Services - Health Quizzes - Local Stats - Calendar - Admin.Services - Contact Us