Head Impact Conditions in Real-World Fatal Motorcycle Crashes

Each year, half of the fatal traffic accidents world-wide involve vulnerable road‐users, with motorcyclists making up 23% of those fatalities [1]. The most comprehensive European investigation into powered two-wheeler (PTW) accidents [2] revealed that PTW fatalities accounted for 11% of total road deaths globally, including either the driver or the passenger. Further, it was found that at the instant of the precipitating event, 19.4% of those PTWs were travelling at speeds of 50 km/h or lower [2]. PTWs are increasingly considered a viable mobility solution, especially in regions of intense traffic congestion. Recent statistics show a slight increase in the number of registered PTWs [3], as well as increases in the most popular PTW engine capacity registered, while at the same time, the regulations for both PTWs and cars are changing. In light of these trends we should expect to see differences in the accident profiles and types of injury. The aim of this study was to analyse more recent data to improve knowledge and understanding of current patterns in fatal accidents. Specifically herein we investigate injury type distribution of body region and helmet impact patterns.