INTRODUCTION: The distributions of motorcycle crash impacts and injuries were compared to the four impact risk zones and protective performance specified in the European Standard for motorcycle clothing (EN 13595). METHODS: Crashed motorcyclists' (n=117) injuries and clothing damage were categorized by body area into the four risk zones. Three levels of protection were defined: protective clothing with impact protection, protective clothing only and non-protective clothing. RESULTS: The distribution of impact/injury sites corresponded to the predictions of EN 13595, with the proportion of all injuries decreasing from 43.9% in Zone 1, to 18.0%, 16.7%, and 11.5% in Zones 2 to 4, respectively. Protective clothing modified the distribution of injuries with substantially more injuries (OR=2.69, 95% CL: 20.1-3.59) at unprotected impact sites. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: These findings support an appropriate framework for determining performance specifications for the manufacture of motorcycle clothing that will effectively reduce the risk of injury in crashes.
AD - Injury Prevention Research Centre, Neuroscience Research Australia, Australia; The George Institute for Global Health, University of Sydney, Australia; School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Australia. Electronic address: l.derome@neura.edu.au.INTRODUCTION: The distributions of motorcycle crash impacts and injuries were compared to the four impact risk zones and protective performance specified in the European Standard for motorcycle clothing (EN 13595). METHODS: Crashed motorcyclists' (n=117) injuries and clothing damage were categorized by body area into the four risk zones. Three levels of protection were defined: protective clothing with impact protection, protective clothing only and non-protective clothing. RESULTS: The distribution of impact/injury sites corresponded to the predictions of EN 13595, with the proportion of all injuries decreasing from 43.9% in Zone 1, to 18.0%, 16.7%, and 11.5% in Zones 2 to 4, respectively. Protective clothing modified the distribution of injuries with substantially more injuries (OR=2.69, 95% CL: 20.1-3.59) at unprotected impact sites. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: These findings support an appropriate framework for determining performance specifications for the manufacture of motorcycle clothing that will effectively reduce the risk of injury in crashes.
PY - 2014 SN - 1879-1247 (Electronic)