Every year 1.2 million people die as a result of road traffic crashes, and a million more are injured or disabled. Most of these deaths are preventable. Motorcyclists make up more than 50% of those injured or killed on roads. Head injuries are the main cause of death and disability among motorcyclists.

Wearing a helmet in the most effective way of reducing head injuries and fatalities resulting from motorcycle and bike crashes. Wearing a helmet has been shown to lower the risk and severity of injuries among motorcyclists by about 70%, the likelihood of death by almost 40%, and to substantially reduce the cost of health care associated with these types of crashes.

Because of the dramatic increase in use of motorized two-wheelers, the importance of helmet use has increased. In China motorcycle ownership over the last ten years has increased. In 2004, more than 67 million motorcycles were registered in the country, and approximately 25% of all road traffic deaths were among motorcyclists and their passengers.

In Thailand, 80% of the 20 million registered motorized vehicles are motorcycles. In 1992, when helmet use was not mandatory, 90% of deaths from traffic injuries were motorcyclists. Almost all of theses were due to head injuries.

The Acting Director of the World Health Organization quoted that they want to make helmet use a high priority for national public health systems. WHO is intensifying efforts to support governments to increase helmet use through a new publication, Helmets: a road safety manual for decision-makers and practitioners.

Sources: Global Health Council. “Helmet Wearing Could Save Thousands of Lives”. http://www.globalhealth.org/news/article/7840/newsletter; World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2006/pr44/en/.