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

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.