State helmet laws and helmet use among fatally injured moped riders in the United States, 2011-2015.

OBJECTIVE

Research has found that mandatory motorcycle helmet laws increase helmet use and reduce motorcycle-related fatalities. However, the association between state moped helmet laws and helmet use in the United States has not been examined. This study investigated this association among a census of fatally injured moped riders in the United States.

METHODS

A logistic regression model was constructed to analyze data extracted from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) to examine risk factors for helmet nonuse among 572 moped riders fatally injured between 2011 and 2015.

RESULTS

Fatally injured moped riders in states with universal helmet laws had 69 times the odds of wearing a helmet (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that universal moped helmet laws increase helmet use. However, additional research is needed to examine helmet laws and use among nonfatally injured moped riders.