Increasing Helmet Use Among Middle-School Aged Youth Dr. J. E. Louis Malenfant Center for Education and Research in Safety Dr. Ron Van Houten Western Michigan University NHTSA CA # DTN22-09-h-00243

Background Bike riding among year old males is one of the most frequent causes of injury related deaths. (NHTSA) More children are injured while riding bicycles than any other consumer product except the car. (Consumer Product Safety Commission-CPSL) Each year, 500,000 bicycle related injuries are treated in hospital emergency rooms, bicycle related fatalities have reached as high as 1,000. (CPSL) The leading cause of death in bicycle crashes is head injury. Wearing a properly fitted bike helmet on every ride is a proven way to prevent fatal bike related injuries, head injuries and the severity of head injuries. Yet only 15 to 25 percent of child riders wear them. (NHTSA) The estimated costs of bicycle injuries are estimated at $8 Billion annually. (Rogers, 1993)

Purpose of the Project To develop and evaluate an enhanced, new generation of the CERS’ behavioral treatment program to increase proper bike helmet use among middle-school aged youth. To submit to NHTSA a easily replicable, low cost program to increase proper helmet use among middle-school aged youth that is appropriate for national dissemination.

Target Audience Educators, law enforcement officers (school resource officers) and recreation specialists working with middle school youth Middle-school aged pupils

Project Strategy To be successful the program must: Be easy to set up and conduct. Yield observable and measurable results. Include user friendly training resources for all participants plus , website and a I-800- support number for project supervisors, school administrators and other interested persons. Directly involve middle-school aged peers in data collection and in managerial functions. Provide reinforcement for participating pupils, schools, supervisory staff and support personnel Provide periodic and/or website tips to enhance and facilitate program set up and administration.

Program Implementation The program will be implemented in three states or regions in the US. Four (4) schools will be selected in each state or region. The program will be implemented over a period of eight (8) weeks at each selected school.

Program Evaluation Reliable data on helmet use and proper helmet use will be collected during baseline, treatment and follow-up phases. A multiple baseline research design across the 12 schools will be used to evaluate changes in helmet use and proper helmet use by pupils that ride their bike to school. Evaluation questionnaires and solicited corrective and constructive feedback will be used to assess ease of use and implementation of the program.

Issues to be Addressed  Deliverables and due dates  Development of process evaluation questionnaires and feedback surveys.  Strategies for obtaining successful school buy- in.  Selection of state project coordinators.  Communications with NHTSA regional office.  Regional representation vs. selecting areas with a climate that will facilitate more complete data collection.

Deliverables and Due Dates It is imperative that the bike helmet program begin in the first state or region in September- October 2010, that it begin in the second state or region in early October- November 2010 and in the third state or region in late October- November 2010.

Development of Process Evaluation Questionnaires and Feedback Surveys.

Strategies for Obtaining Successful School Buy-In Certificates for participating schools. Summary reports for school board and Home and School Associations. Earned media attention. Other.

Selection of State Project Coordinators Our plan is to work with the local Bike- Ped coordinators. Other suggestions?

Communications with NHTSA Regional Offices and Other Allied Agencies Proper protocol Best practices to keep everyone informed.

Regional Representation vs. the Selection of Areas with a Climate that will Facilitate More Complete Data Collection.

Questions, Comments and Suggestions