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Kimberly M. Auman, MS, Joseph A. Kufera, MA, Michael F. Ballesteros, MS, John E. Smialek, MD and Patricia C. Dischinger, PhD

Kimberly M. Auman, Joseph A. Kufera, Michael F. Ballesteros, and Patricia C. Dischinger are with the Charles McC. Mathias Jr National Study Center for Trauma and Emergency Medical Services, University of Maryland, Baltimore. At the time of the study, John E. Smialek was with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Baltimore.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Kimberly M. Auman, MS, National Study Center for Trauma and EMS, University of Maryland, 701 W Pratt St, 5th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201 (e-mail: Kauman{at}som.umaryland.edu).

Objectives. This study sought to determine the impact of Maryland’s all-rider motorcycle helmet law (enacted on October 1, 1992) on preventing deaths and traumatic brain injuries among motorcyclists.

Methods. Statewide motorcyclist fatalities occurring during seasonally comparable 33-month periods immediately preceding and following enactment of the law were compared.

Results. The motorcyclist fatality rate dropped from 10.3 per 10 000 registered motorcycles prelaw to 4.5 postlaw despite almost identical numbers of registered motorcycles. Motorcyclists wearing helmets had a lower risk of traumatic brain injury than those not wearing helmets (odds ratio = 0.31, 95% confidence interval = 0.14, 0.68).

Conclusions. Maryland’s controversial motorcycle helmet law appears to be an effective public health policy and may be responsible for saving many lives.

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