A STUDY OF HELMET DAMAGE AND RIDER HEAD/ NECK INJURIES FOR CRASH INVOLVED MOTORCYCLISTS

Abstract

This study evaluated the in crash performance of motorcycle helmets, with the particular aim of finding areas where there was potential for further protection from injury. Helmets were inspected internally and externally to determine the types of contact and damage which had occurred. The motorcyclists injuries were evaluated and then coded by a medical officer using the 1985 version of the international abbreviated injury coding system (AIS). All of this data was then matched and analysed. It appears that where the impact to the helmet was radial (that is impacts at right angles to the helmet shell), within the limited test areas specified in the standard, then the helmets were relatively effective in providing protection. This protection was effective against either flat, blunt or irregular objects. When the front of the helmet was struck, it was generally outside the test area and the most serious injuries associated with this were base of skull fractures or frontal skull vault fractures. Impacts to areas other than the front or test area of helmets were more likely to produce life threatening neck injuries than brain injuries. It was concluded that the areas most needing attention are: 1) expansion of the zone of protection at the front of the helmet. 2) the inclusion of a test to minimise the transmission of the impact force from frontal blows to the base of the skull. 3) the inclusion of an oblique impact test to evaluate the helmets ability to minimise head and neck injuries from these impacts. (TRRL)