Thailand: Effect of a Mandatory Helmet Law on Fatalities
Common wisdom dictates that enacting a law requiring that all motorcyclists use a helmet (Mandatory Helmet Use Act) would reduce the number of head injuries and deaths among riders. But a recent study conducted in Thailand hasn’t supported that assumption.
As most traffic crash injuries in Thailand involve motorcycle riders, the Thai Government enacted a nationwide helmet requirement for motorcyclists in December of 1994. In some rural hospitals, the rate of motorcycle trauma tripled in the four years leading up to the legislation. In the pre-act period, only 4.5% of riders wore helmets; after passage of the act, the number of helmet wearers jumped to 22.6%.
But according to data collected at the Khon Kaen Regional Hospital in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand, during the two years before and after the helmet act, motorcycle fatalities were not significantly reduced. The total number of injuries were, however, reduced in that time period.
Researchers Masao Ichikawa, Witaya Chadbunchachai and Eiji Marui suggest several reasons why the helmet act may not have saved more lives:
- Observational studies of motorcyclists in Thailand show that only about 55% of cyclists that wear helmets wear them correctly.
- The Helmet Act lacked an educational component that would make the measure more effective.
- The quality of helmets in Thailand goes unregulated. Researchers argue that an additional measure that mandates a helmet strong enough to protect but comfortable enough to be worn in a tropical climate would dramatically improve outcomes in crashes.
- Many of the deaths associated with motorcycle crashes in Thailand involve neck and chest trauma, which are unrelated to the wearing of a helmet.
The researchers conclude that although the mandatory helmet act is effective in encouraging motorcyclists to use helmets, a much broader approach is needed including educational programs, performance standards for helmets, are strict enforcement of the helmet law is needed before the helmet act will show more results.
Ichikawa M, Chadbunchachai W, Marui E. Effect of the helmet act for motorcyclists in Thailand. Accident Analysis & Prevention 2003;35:183-9.
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