Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Pediatric Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, 426 Michigan St NE, Suite 304, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, United States.
BACKGROUND: In April of 2012, Michigan repealed its 35-year-old universal motorcycle helmet law in favor of a partial helmet law, which permits motorcyclists older than 21 years old with sufficient insurance and experience to drive un-helmeted. We evaluated the clinical impact of the repeal.
METHODS: The Michigan Trauma Quality Improvement Program's trauma database was queried for motorcycle crash patients between 1/1/09-4/12/12 and between 4/13/12-12/31/14.
RESULTS: There were 1970 patients in the pre-repeal analysis and 2673 patients in the post-repeal analysis. Following the repeal, patients were more likely to be un-helmeted (p < 0.001) and to have a traumatic brain injury (p < 0.001). Patients were also more likely to require neurosurgical interventions (relative risk 1.4, p = 0.011).
CONCLUSION: Following the repeal of the universal helmet law, there has been a significant increase in traumatic brain injuries and neurosurgical interventions. This analysis highlights another detrimental impact of the repeal of the universal helmet law. SUMMARY SENTENCES: Following the repeal of the universal helmet law, there has been a significant increase in traumatic brain injuries and neurosurgical interventions. This analysis highlights another detrimental impact of the repeal of the universal helmet law.