Children's Bicycle Helmet Use and Injuries in Hillsborough County, Florida Before and After Helmet Legislation.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-1-2003

Keywords

Accidents, Traffic, Adolescent, Bicycling, Child, Child, Preschool, Florida, Head Protective Devices, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Logistic Models, Wounds and Injuries

Publication Title

Injury prevention : Journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to explore the changes in children's bicycle helmet use and motor vehicle bicycle related injuries in Hillsborough County, Florida before and after passage of the Florida's bicycle helmet law for children under the age of 16. The results show a significant increase in bicycle helmet use among children, ages 5-13, in the post-law years compared with the pre-law years. Also, there has been a significant decline in the rates of bicycle related motor vehicle injuries among children in the post-law years compared with the pre-law years. Although there have been complementary educational and outreach activities in the county to support helmet use, it appears that the greatest increase in use occurred after the passage of the helmet law. It is recommended that educational efforts continue to sustain helmet use rates and decreases in injuries.

Comments

Copyright 2003 Injury Prevention

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