Prevention of nervous system trauma from travel in motor vehicles.

Abstract

Brain and spinal cord injuries are a frequent cause of death and long-term disability in motor vehicle accidents. Helmet use reduces death and head injury severity in motorcycle accidents. Proper use of child restraints can prevent death from falls and vehicle crashes. Auto lap and shoulder restraints, when in use, reduce death from accidents and falls from cars. Passive protections, such as air bags, vehicle design for crashworthiness, and automatic seatbelt systems are less available for economic reasons. Voluntary use of available devices is the remaining viable option. One-to-one education may help promote use of protective devices. The greatest impact lies in legislative requirements for self-protection. It is ethically justifiable to require use of devices such as child restraints, seatbelts, and motorcycle helmets to prevent death and disability.