@article{ref1,
title="Would a crash helmet have been life-saving? An analysis of 188 fatal motor scooter accidents",
journal="Zeitschrift fur Rechtsmedizin",
year="1975",
author="Reich, H. and Dalgaard, J. B.",
volume="75",
number="4",
pages="235-239",
abstract="In both Germany and Denmark bills have been passed, that mopedists and motorcyclists should wear crash helmets in traffic. In an effort to elucidate the practical life-saving effect of such measures, this investigation has been performed in The Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Aarhus, Denmark. Within the period 1959-1973 in all 188 mopedists killed in traffic accidents were submitted to medico-legal examination at the institute. All documents, including the police reports, photographs, the detailed autopsy-reports and medical case records were scrutinized in order to elucidate whether a crash helmet had been used during the accident, and if not, whether such use would have been life-saving. In 4 cases only, a crash helmet was used. Of the 188 moped drivers 54.2% died of scull-brain injuries, 33% of other injuries, while 12.8% died of combined scull-brain and other injuries. Following a thorough consideration of the circumstances and findings in each case, the authors in a retrospective judgment concluded, that 51% of the killed moped drivers probably should have survived the accident if they had worn an appropriate crash helmet. A further 8.5% might have survived. The authors admit that their material was selected and the results could hardly be considered indicative for the traffic in general, but are indicative of a tendency.",
language="",
issn="0044-3433",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}