As use of motorcycles/scooters increases, so do head injuries, Pitt helmet study says.
A recent study showing an increase in motorcyclists’ head injuries points out the need to restore the helmet law as high gas prices boost the use of motorcycles and scooters, says state Rep. Dan Frankle, D-Allegheny.
He said the study supports the need to restore the parts of Pennsylvania's motorcycle-helmet law that were repealed in 2003.
"This study shows an incredibly dramatic increase in head injuries and hospitalizations that exceeds the increase in the number of motorcycle riders in Pennsylvania,” Frankel said.
“The implications of this for health-care costs are staggering and affect everyone, through tax-funded health care, health insurance premiums and covering uncompensated care," he said.
Frankel is the lead sponsor of H.B. 945, a bipartisan bill that would restore the helmet requirement for people 21 or older.
"This increase in deaths and injuries is a preventable tragedy, and the study only covers data through 2005 – this situation will likely get worse as the recent spike in fuel prices drives more people to use motorcycles or scooters,” he said.
“We require adults over the age of 21 to wear seat belts in cars, and we should require adults over the age of 21 to wear helmets on motorcycles," he said.
For the recent study, two University of Pittsburgh faculty members analyzed Pennsylvania statistics such as helmet use and motorcycle-related deaths and head injuries, comparing the two years before the repeal and the first two years after the repeal. Among their findings: head injury deaths increased 66 percent and motorcycle-related head injury hospitalization increased 78 percent.
The study also found acute-care hospital charges for motorcycle-related head injuries increased 132 percent, and Frankel said that doesn't even include long-term care and rehabilitation costs.
The complete findings will be published in the August issue of the American Journal of Public Health.
Frankel said a 2006 Legislative Budget and Finance Committee study also showed a similar effect on the number of motorcycle riders' injuries in Pennsylvania following the helmet law repeal. Frankel also cited the example of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who spent two days in a hospital in June 2006 due to injuries from a crash where he was riding a motorcycle without a helmet. Roethlisberger pledged to wear a helmet from then on if he rides a motorcycle again.
I know a lot of motorcyclists will probably heartily disagree with me on this issue, but what good is having the liberty to have the wind blow through your hair if your brains can be splattered on the road in an accident? I always wore a helmet when bicycling and my bikes could never attain the speed a motorcycle does.
LINE PAINTING TIPS
PennDOT’s line painting program has been in operation since April and will finish in October.
On Saturday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., crews painted a long stretch of I-95 between the Vine Expressway (I-676) and the Bucks County line, and on I-676 and I-95 in Philadelphia.
Here’s a no-brainer, during such slow-moving operations, PennDOT advises you to avoid running over the newly painted line and stay at least 100 feet behind an operating paint truck and don’t pass it.
This year PennDOT will paint over 7,000 traffic-line miles – nearly enough to go from Philadelphia to Los Angeles 2 1/2 times – to increase driver safety in the Philadelphia region.
In southeastern Pennsylvania, two paint crews apply more than 105,000 gallons of water-based yellow and white paint to guide motorists along state roads.
Crews use equipment to heat the paint to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and use spray guns to paint the lines. While the paint is wet, glass beads are poured onto the lines for reflectivity.
PennDOT expects to use about 800,000 pounds of glass beads this year in the region. Every gallon of paint applied requires seven pounds of reflective beads.
The width of the lane lines on interstate and other limited-access highways is six inches, while the yellow center and white edge lines on other state highways are four inches wide. PennDOT will spend about $1.8 million on its line-painting program this year in the five-county region.
To protect the paint crew and alert motorists of the painting operation, the PennDOT fleet consists of three trucks with warning signs, including a flashing arrow board.
Besides warning motorists not to tailgate the trucks, PennDOT offers the following tips:
BULLET The water-based paint usually takes between three and five minutes to dry. If paint does get onto a vehicle and it is less than a few hours old, you should wash the painted area with a high-pressure hose, located at most commercial car washes.
BULLET Motorists can also use a commercial latex paint remover, such as Goof Off, available at most hardware stores.
BULLET If the paint has hardened for more than a few hours, saturate a rag, or preferably cheese cloth with denatured alcohol or petroleum jelly, and hold, do not rub the spots, then wash the area with a high-pressure hose.
TOUR OF PA. BIKE RACE
State police at Troop J Lancaster are advising motorists to be aware that the Tour of Pennsylvania bicycle race will be traveling Wednesday through Chester County on Route 30 and Route 322 in Chester County and Route 322 in Lancaster County.
During this event, expect slow moving vehicles, possible backlogs and delays on the route.
TRAFFIC DELAYS
U.S. Route 1 South (Baltimore Pike) – Middletown and Chester Heights, bridge repairs over the Chester Creek 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
U.S. Route 1 North/Media Bypass – Upper Providence, pipe repairs with lane restrictions at Baltimore Pike 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Amosland Road – Prospect Park and Norwood, Aqua Pennsylvania utility installation, closed/detoured between MacDade Boulevard and Chester Pike 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays starting June 30, and through Aug. 29.
Upper Chichester – Naamans Creek Road, CSX Railroad crossing replacement between Meetinghouse and Mill roads 9 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays, 24-hour detour through Friday.
Haverford – College Avenue, PECO utility installation between Cooperstown and Turnbridge roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 30.
Haverford – Darby Road, road widening/utility installation by Goldenberg Group, closed/detoured between Route 320 and Marple Road, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays through July 25. Detour posted. Work began May 27.
Springfield – Baltimore Pike, Aqua Pennsylvania utility installation between Route 320 (Sproul Road) and Paper Mill Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 30. Work began April 21.
Chester Township – Concord Road, utility installation between Commerce Drive and McDonald Boulevard 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Sept. 25. Work began Feb. 19.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.