Citation

Ramli R, Siang NL, Chi NF, Abdul Rahman N, Oxley J. J. Australas. Coll. Road Saf. 2011; 22(2): 71-76.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Australasian College of Road Safety)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

This paper describes an investigation of helmet wearing and type of helmet worn amongst crash-involved and non-crash- involved riders. Participants who attended an outpatient oral and maxillofacial clinic for treatment took part in a survey on helmet-wearing behaviour and crash involvement. Overall, there was a high reported wearing rate; however, the findings showed that many riders did not wear a helmet for very short trips, and a substantial proportion did not fasten the buckle. More importantly, relatively high proportions of motorcyclists wore helmets that may not offer them optimal protection in a crash.

For those who have been involved in a crash, the most frequent injuries sustained were to the lower limbs. Comparisons between crash-involved and non-crash-involved riders also revealed some demographic and behavioural differences such as age, gender and licensure. Implications for the overall safety and reduction of head and facial injuries are discussed, including the protective features of different types of helmets, wearing status, programs aimed to increase wearing rates of helmets that will offer optimal protection, and rider sub-groups to whom initiatives should be targeted.