Editorial

Motorcycle Mayhem

Authors: Elizabeth Orsay, MD

Abstract

Since the repeal of the Arkansas motorcycle helmet law in 1997, several studies1,2 from that state have been published, including one published in this issue of the Southern Medical Journal by Bledsoe and Li,3 documenting the adverse consequences of their misconceived blunder, heaping more fuel to the continual debate on helmet use laws. The debate continues to rage, despite an overwhelming volume of data verifying the benefits of helmet use in motorcycle trauma and documenting the heavy toll levied on those states that choose to repeal their helmet laws.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Bledsoe GH, Shexnayder SM, Carey MJ, et al. The negative impact of the repeal of the Arkansas motorcycle helmet law. J Trauma 2002;53:1078–1086.
 
2. Bledsoe GH. Arkansas and the motorcycle helmet law. J Ark Med Soc 2004;100:430–433.
 
3. Bledsoe GH, Li G. Trends in Arkansas Motorcycle Trauma After Helmet Law Repeal. South Med J2005;98:436–440.
 
4. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Traffic Safety Facts 2003: Motorcycles, Alcohol Involvement in Fatal Motorcycle Crashes and Costs of Injuries Resulting from Motorcycle Crashes: A Literature Review. Available at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov. Accessed November 1, 2004.
 
5. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Commentary: Motorcycle helmet law repeal: A tax assessment for the rest of the United States? Ann Emerg Med 2001;37:230–232.
 
6. Liu B, Ivers R, Norton R, et al. Helmets for preventing injury in motorcycle riders. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2004;2:CD004333.
 
7. Orsay E, Holden JA, Williams J, et al. Motorcycle trauma in the state of Illinois: analysis of the Illinois Department of Public Health Trauma Registry. Ann Emerg Med 1995;26:455–460.