Citation

Reich H, Dalgaard JB. Z. Rechtsmed. 1975; 75(4): 235-239.

Vernacular Title

Hatte ein Sturzhelm den Tod verhindern konnen? Eine rechtsmedizinische analyse

Copyright

(Copyright © 1975, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

1124597

Abstract

In both Germany and Denmark bills have been passed, that mopedists and motorcyclists should wear crash helmets in traffic. In an effort to elucidate the practical life-saving effect of such measures, this investigation has been performed in The Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Aarhus, Denmark. Within the period 1959-1973 in all 188 mopedists killed in traffic accidents were submitted to medico-legal examination at the institute. All documents, including the police reports, photographs, the detailed autopsy-reports and medical case records were scrutinized in order to elucidate whether a crash helmet had been used during the accident, and if not, whether such use would have been life-saving. In 4 cases only, a crash helmet was used. Of the 188 moped drivers 54.2% died of scull-brain injuries, 33% of other injuries, while 12.8% died of combined scull-brain and other injuries. Following a thorough consideration of the circumstances and findings in each case, the authors in a retrospective judgment concluded, that 51% of the killed moped drivers probably should have survived the accident if they had worn an appropriate crash helmet. A further 8.5% might have survived. The authors admit that their material was selected and the results could hardly be considered indicative for the traffic in general, but are indicative of a tendency.