The burden of motorcycle-related neuro-trauma in Ireland and associated helmet usage

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Motorcycles represent less than 2% of the licensed vehicles but motorcyclists account for 12% of road deaths in Ireland. The British Road Safety Authority has introduced the Sharp programme, which hopes to save 50 lives in the U.K. each year alone by helping riders to choose the best-fitting and safest helmets. We evaluated the pattern of head injuries sustained by motorcyclists referred to the two neurosurgical centres Beaumont Hospital and Cork University Hospital in Ireland and ascertained if the new SHARP guidelines could be of benefit in reducing the burden of motorcycle related neurotrauma and disability in Ireland. Despite Ireland having mandatory helmet laws almost a quarter of our motorcyclists with traumatic brain injury were unhelmeted. A significant reduction in mortality and morbidity is predicted if all motorcyclists in Ireland were to wear helmets that satisfied the SHARP criteria.

Publication Date

4-1-2009

Publication Title

British Journal of Neurosurgery

ISSN

02688697

E-ISSN

1360046X

Volume

23

Issue

2

First Page

162

Last Page

164

PubMed ID

19306171

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1080/02688690902759078

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