Comparison of Neurologic Trauma and Motorcycle Helmet Use in Drivers vs Passengers.

ASSOCIATIONOFVA SURGEONS Comparison of Neurologic Trauma and Motorcycle Helmet Use in Drivers vs Passengers Motorcycle crashes are associated with significant morbidity andmortality inbothpassengers anddrivers.According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the proportionof fatalitiesattributedtomotorcycles, comparedwithother passenger vehicles, has increased.1 Withmore than 8million motorcycles on the roads,1 prevention of these injuries is essential to public health and the economy. Helmets have been shown to reduce fatalities and serious traumatic injuries sustained from motorcycle crashes.1 Neurologic and other head and neck trauma accounts for a large portion ofmorbidity associatedwith these crashes. Although the utility of safety equipment in prevention of these injuries has been shown,2,3 few studies have investigated the neuroprotective benefit of helmet use onmotorcycle passengers in comparison with motorcycle drivers.