A recent study shows that helmet and seatbelt use in Canada has greatly reduced traumatic brain injury in that country. The investigation, headed by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), was a retrospective study of hospital admissions over 10 years from 1994-95 to 2003-04.

Increased seatbelt and helmet use were cited as the leading reasons for the decline. The report used cycling, one of the highest sports-related causes, as an example. There was a 55% drop in the number of young cyclists admitted with traumatic brain injury, and a 24% drop in adult cyclists. Helmet use grew dramatically during this time period, especially among younger age groups, and can be directly attributed to this decline.

In fact Canada has much stricter laws regarding helmet and seatbelt use than the United States, and higher rates of compliance. All provinces have universal motorcycle helmet laws, as do most developed countries – except the United States, where only 20 states and Washington, D.C. have universal laws. Most states require helmet use under a certain age, after which helmet use is optional. And the trend is away from helmet use, with many states like Kentucky and Louisiana repealing helmet laws.

Seatbelt laws and compliance are also stricter in Canada, and have been universal and primary (in which an officer can write a ticket for simply observing an unbelted driver or passenger) across all provinces for decades. In 1993, the province with the lowest compliance rate was Prince Edward Island at 77.8%; in 2001 it was Manitoba at 82.3%. By contrast, only 18 states plus D.C. and Puerto Rico have primary seatbelt laws as of 2003. Overall, the U.S. had a compliance rate of 75% in 2002, up from just 58% in 1994.

Stricter laws and higher levels of compliance have had a direct impact on the number of Canadians requiring hospitalization due to traumatic brain injury. In 2003, the rate was about 52 people per 100,000 – in the U.S. the average was 78 per 100,000. In other words, the average American is about 50% more likely to be hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury than the average Canadian. Using bicycle helmets, motorcycle helmets, and seat belts will greatly reduce this risk.

Unfortunately, many accidents occur due to the negligence of others. If you have required hospitalization due to a traumatic brain injury and you feel that your injuries were caused by another individual, contact a brain injury lawyer at Jim S. Adler & Associates. We have more than 30 years of legal experience in Texas, and we can help you decide what your next course of action should be. Call us right now at 1-800-505-1414 or click on the link on this page to submit your traumatic brain injury case for a free case review, and make sure that your rights are protected.