Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation Releases Data Supporting Mandatory Use of Motorcyc...( MECHANICSBURG Pa. Aug. 19 -- The...),Health

MECHANICSBURG, Pa., Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation which is the accrediting body for trauma centers in Pennsylvania, has released data to the Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee regarding the outcomes of motorcyclists involved in crashes since the repeal of the motorcycle helmet law in Pennsylvania in 2003. This data combined with a recently published study done at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center supports the need for the Pennsylvania legislature to reenact a law requiring mandatory helmet use in all motorcyclists regardless of age. Key findings of the studies since the repeal of the motorcycle helmet law included:

-- Helmet use by motorcyclists involved in reported motorcycle crashes decreased from 82 percent to 58 percent.

-- The number of fatal motorcycle crashes increased 31 percent.

-- The number of head injury related motorcycle cases that were hospitalized increased 50% from 2002 to 2004

-- Brain injury deaths from motorcycle crashes increased 32%.

-- The number of head injured patients that were hospitalized increased 42%.

-- The number of head injured motorcyclists requiring care at rehabilitation facilities increased 87%.

-- Non head injured motorcyclists requiring care at a rehabilitation facility increased 16%.

PTSF urges all Pennsylvania citizens to contact their legislators to push for reinstatement of mandatory helmets on all motorcyclists. For more information on this topic including a list of trauma centers in your area go to http://www.ptsf.org.