| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS | REGISTER |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Monash University Accident Research Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
OBJECTIVES AND SETTING: To address helmet wearing by 13-17 year olds this study posed the following research questions: 'Do education programs continue to be necessary even after the community wearing rate has increased?' and 'Are helmet laws more effective in encouraging wearing among certain age groups?' Victoria was the first place in the world to introduce bicycle helmet legislation. Experiences in Victoria therefore provide a good model for the introduction of similar legislation in other areas. This study is the first to examine teenagers' attitudes towards helmet wearing after the introduction of compulsory helmet wearing legislation. METHODS: A survey of 1240 year 9 and year 10 students, aged 13-17 years, from 14 secondary schools in the outer south eastern suburbs of Melbourne, was conducted in September 1993. Information about bicycle use, helmet wearing, and attitudes towards helmets was obtained by a self report questionnaire. RESULTS: Bicycles are a popular form of wheeled recreation/self transport among teenagers. 65% of teenagers reported that they owned a helmet but only one third wore a helmet the last time they rode a bicycle. Fewer than 25% of students always wore a helmet when they rode a bicycle, despite compulsory helmet wearing legislation. Major factors leading to teenagers not wanting to wear a helmet were appearance and comfort. Both safety considerations and parental pressures were factors that influenced a teenager to wear a helmet. CONCLUSIONS: The major areas that need to be addressed are low helmet wearing rates; the low priority given to safety issues compared with comfort and peer acceptance; an ignorance of the need for helmets in all riding situations; and a perception that the legislation would not be enforced.
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  B A Morrongiello, M Cusimano, E Orr, B Barton, M Chipman, J Tyberg, A Kulkarini, N Khanlou, R Masi, and T Bekele School-age children's safety attitudes, cognitions, knowledge, and injury experiences: how do these relate to their safety practices? Inj. Prev., June 1, 2008; 14(3): 176 - 179. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M Karkhaneh, J-C Kalenga, B E Hagel, and B H Rowe Effectiveness of bicycle helmet legislation to increase helmet use: a systematic review. Inj. Prev., April 1, 2006; 12(2): 76 - 82. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Yang, J. M. Bowling, M. A. Lewis, S. W. Marshall, C. W. Runyan, and F. O. Mueller Use of Discretionary Protective Equipment in High School Athletes: Prevalence and Determinants Am J Public Health, November 1, 2005; 95(11): 1996 - 2002. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Yang, S. W. Marshall, J. M. Bowling, C. W. Runyan, F. O. Mueller, and M. A. Lewis Use of Discretionary Protective Equipment and Rate of Lower Extremity Injury in High School Athletes Am. J. Epidemiol., March 15, 2005; 161(6): 511 - 519. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R A Braham, C F Finch, A McIntosh, and P McCrory Community football players' attitudes towards protective equipment--a pre-season measure Br. J. Sports Med., August 1, 2004; 38(4): 426 - 430. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D Kendrick and S Royal Cycle helmet ownership and use; a cluster randomised controlled trial in primary school children in deprived areas Arch. Dis. Child., April 1, 2004; 89(4): 330 - 335. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 K. M. Ketvertis, B. D. Johnston, and F. P. Rivara Behavior Change Counseling in the Emergency Department to Reduce Injury Risk: A Randomized, Controlled Trial Pediatrics, May 1, 2003; 111(5): 1125 - 1125. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R M Eime and C F Finch Have the attitudes of Australian squash players towards protective eyewear changed over the past decade? Br. J. Sports Med., December 1, 2002; 36(6): 442 - 445. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P Berg and R Westerling Bicycle helmet use among schoolchildren--the influence of parental involvement and children's attitudes Inj. Prev., September 1, 2001; 7(3): 218 - 222. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C F Finch, A S McIntosh, and P McCrory What do under 15 year old schoolboy rugby union players think about protective headgear? Br. J. Sports Med., April 1, 2001; 35(2): 89 - 94. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L McGuire and N Smith Cycling safety: injury prevention in Oxford cyclists Inj. Prev., December 1, 2000; 6(4): 285 - 287. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. Warda, S. Harlos, T. P Klassen, M. E K Moffatt, N. Buchan, and V. L Koop An observational study of protective equipment use among in-line skaters Inj. Prev., September 1, 1998; 4(3): 198 - 202. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P C. Cryer, J. Cole, L. L Davidson, M. Rahman, V. Ching, and J. B Goodall Rates of, and the factors affecting, cycle helmet use among secondary schoolchildren in East Sussex and Kent Inj. Prev., June 1, 1998; 4(2): 106 - 110. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS | REGISTER |
