Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation Releases Data Supporting Mandatory Use of Motorcycle Helmets

    MECHANICSBURG, Pa., Aug. 19 /EMWNews/ -- The Pennsylvania

Trauma Systems Foundation which is the accrediting body for trauma centers

in Pennsylvania, has released data to the Pennsylvania Legislative Budget

and Finance Committee regarding the outcomes of motorcyclists involved in

crashes since the repeal of the motorcycle helmet law in Pennsylvania in

2003. This data combined with a recently published study done at the

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center supports the need for the

Pennsylvania legislature to reenact a law requiring mandatory helmet use in

all motorcyclists regardless of age. Key findings of the studies since the

repeal of the motorcycle helmet law included:



    -- Helmet use by motorcyclists involved in reported motorcycle crashes

decreased from 82 percent to 58 percent.



    -- The number of fatal motorcycle crashes increased 31 percent.



    -- The number of head injury related motorcycle cases that were

hospitalized increased 50% from 2002 to 2004



    -- Brain injury deaths from motorcycle crashes increased 32%.



    -- The number of head injured patients that were hospitalized increased

42%.



    -- The number of head injured motorcyclists requiring care at

rehabilitation facilities increased 87%.



    -- Non head injured motorcyclists requiring care at a rehabilitation

facility increased 16%.



    PTSF urges all Pennsylvania citizens to contact their legislators to

push for reinstatement of mandatory helmets on all motorcyclists. For more

information on this topic including a list of trauma centers in your area

go to http://www.ptsf.org.