Scooter crashes at university: intervention tactics for modified behavior and helmet use

Mopeds and scooters are defined as 2-wheeled vehicles with engine displacement ranging from 49 to 250 cm(3). These vehicles have experienced a resurgence in modern culture and are especially popular on large university campuses. Increased operation of mopeds and scooters has been a contributor to increased accidents and in some cases fatalities. Available statistics indicate that a majority of individuals involved in scooter crashes were not wearing helmets. The objective of this study was to explore perceptions of helmets and the significance of behavioral intention related to attitude toward helmet use among operators of these potentially dangerous motor vehicles.

The study collected a sample from the general population of scooter operators on a major southeastern university campus (N = 151). Criteria examined included gender differences related to perception of helmet use, perception of helmet attributes (safety, price, appearance, comfort) as predictors of perceived risk, and behavioral intention (control beliefs, normative beliefs, and behavioral beliefs) as predictors of attitude toward helmet use.

Many riders (41%) were inexperienced operators, did not wear helmets (65%), did not take a safety course (88.1%), and ignored traffic laws (56.3%). Women reported significantly higher levels of unpleasantness associated with helmet use than men. Regression analyses indicate that comfort and safety of helmets were significant predictors of perceived risk of injury. Length of ownership was significantly correlated to perception of safety. Normative beliefs and control beliefs were independent significant predictors of attitudes toward helmet use.

University students who operated scooters were principally untrained in safe operation measures and in many cases ignored traffic laws. Though perceptions of helmets as a safety device were significant, they were viewed as uncomfortable, most often among female operators. Key psychological indicators of attitudes toward helmet use were perceived norms and control in making choices. The best course of action is messages that (1) introduces modern features that make helmets more user adaptable to comfort; (2) promote a positive outcome through users' motivation to comply to norms (i.e., parental influence); and (3) encourage the perceived empowerment that emanates from control in decision making.