TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2018//
TI  - The impact of the repeal of Michigan's universal helmet law on traumatic brain injury: a statewide analysis
JO  - American journal of surgery
A1  - Saunders, Rachel N.
A1  - Adams, Nicholas S.
A1  - Chapman, Alistair J.
A1  - Davis, Alan T.
A1  - Koehler, Tracy J.
A1  - Durling, Luke T.
A1  - Iskander, Gaby A.
A1  - Girotto, John A.
SP  - 424
EP  - 427
VL  - 215
IS  - 3
N2  - BACKGROUND: In April of 2012, Michigan repealed its 35-year-old universal motorcycle helmet law in favor of a partial helmet law, which permits motorcyclists older than 21 years old with sufficient insurance and experience to drive un-helmeted. We evaluated the clinical impact of the repeal. <br><br>METHODS: The Michigan Trauma Quality Improvement Program's trauma database was queried for motorcycle crash patients between 1/1/09-4/12/12 and between 4/13/12-12/31/14. <br><br>RESULTS: There were 1970 patients in the pre-repeal analysis and 2673 patients in the post-repeal analysis. Following the repeal, patients were more likely to be un-helmeted (p < 0.001) and to have a traumatic brain injury (p < 0.001). Patients were also more likely to require neurosurgical interventions (relative risk 1.4, p = 0.011). <br><br>CONCLUSION: Following the repeal of the universal helmet law, there has been a significant increase in traumatic brain injuries and neurosurgical interventions. This analysis highlights another detrimental impact of the repeal of the universal helmet law. SUMMARY SENTENCES: Following the repeal of the universal helmet law, there has been a significant increase in traumatic brain injuries and neurosurgical interventions. This analysis highlights another detrimental impact of the repeal of the universal helmet law.<br><br>Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0002-9610
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2017.09.033
ID  - ref1
ER  -