The effect of the Taiwan motorcycle helmet use law on head injuries

Wen Ta Chiu; Chia Ying Kuo; Ching Chang Hung; Marcelo Chen

doi:10.2105/AJPH.90.5.793

The effect of the Taiwan motorcycle helmet use law on head injuries

Wen Ta Chiu, Chia Ying Kuo, Ching Chang Hung, Marcelo Chen

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

142 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives. This study evaluated the effect of the motorcycle helmet law implemented in Taiwan on June 1, 1997. Methods. Collecting data on 8795 cases of motorcycle-related head injuries from 56 major Taiwanese hospitals, we compared the situation 1 year before and after implementation of the helmet law. Results. After implementation of the law, the number of motorcycle- related head injuries decreased by 33%, from 5260 to 3535. Decreases in length of hospital stay and in severity of injury and better outcome were also seen. The likelihood ratio χ² test showed that severity decreased after the law's implementation (P<.001). Full helmets were found to be safer than half-shell helmets. Conclusion. The helmet law effectively decreased the mortality and morbidity from motorcycle-related head injuries.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	793-796
Number of pages	4
Journal	American Journal of Public Health
Volume	90
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.90.5.793
Publication status	Published - May 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.2105/AJPH.90.5.793

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abstract = "Objectives. This study evaluated the effect of the motorcycle helmet law implemented in Taiwan on June 1, 1997. Methods. Collecting data on 8795 cases of motorcycle-related head injuries from 56 major Taiwanese hospitals, we compared the situation 1 year before and after implementation of the helmet law. Results. After implementation of the law, the number of motorcycle- related head injuries decreased by 33%, from 5260 to 3535. Decreases in length of hospital stay and in severity of injury and better outcome were also seen. The likelihood ratio χ2 test showed that severity decreased after the law's implementation (P<.001). Full helmets were found to be safer than half-shell helmets. Conclusion. The helmet law effectively decreased the mortality and morbidity from motorcycle-related head injuries.",

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AB - Objectives. This study evaluated the effect of the motorcycle helmet law implemented in Taiwan on June 1, 1997. Methods. Collecting data on 8795 cases of motorcycle-related head injuries from 56 major Taiwanese hospitals, we compared the situation 1 year before and after implementation of the helmet law. Results. After implementation of the law, the number of motorcycle- related head injuries decreased by 33%, from 5260 to 3535. Decreases in length of hospital stay and in severity of injury and better outcome were also seen. The likelihood ratio χ2 test showed that severity decreased after the law's implementation (P<.001). Full helmets were found to be safer than half-shell helmets. Conclusion. The helmet law effectively decreased the mortality and morbidity from motorcycle-related head injuries.

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The effect of the Taiwan motorcycle helmet use law on head injuries

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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