[Medical peculiarities and social effects of accidents with motorcycles]

During the period 1976 until 1982, 133 accident patients with two-cycle motor vehicles were treated at the traumatological Department of the Dr. Horst Schmidt Hospital. 80% of those patients were below or 21 years of age, 58.5% were undergoing training for professional work. 23.3% had suffered severe injuries (according to the Gögler scheme), 6.8% died as a result. Six out of nine dead patients were caused by severe head injuries, five of whom did not wear protective helmets. 37.7% cover all head injuries 5% more than injuries of the lower extremities (thigh and shins). The result of these accidents causes an enormous impact on those concerned as well as on the society. 32.3% interruptions and extensions of training periods and change of training for the youth became necessary. Treatment after admissions as in-patient (for minor injuries costs ca. DM 1000, for major injuries DM 20,000) costs about DM719,368,000 excluding costs for rents and auxiliary requirements which have not been taken into consideration. The invaluation of treatment of 133 accident cases with motorcycles has resulted in the following consideration: 1. Yearly publication of motor cycle accidents and its death tolls including cost sustained or prospective costs involved. 2. Strict rules concerning covering clothing. 3. Rigorous accident theching during driving lesions. 4. Security measures and its execution enforced by law to control the construction of motorized two cycle in consideration of optical and technical performance criteria. 5. Severe criticism of advertisers in usage of words like speed, performance and freedom which influence the youth without indicating the risks of the two-cycle vehicles.