Chapter 1
Introduction
1.1 Scope
Motorcycle helmets are protective equipment used by motorcyclists to protect the
head, to minimise injuries and to save life in the event of an accident. At present, this
is the most effective intervention available to reduce head injuries to motorcyclists.
Motorcycle helmets greatly reduce injuries and fatalities in motorcycle accidents.
Thus, many countries have stringent legislation requiring the mandatory wearing
of helmets by motorcyclists. Due to high speeds, motorcyclists require protection
because of the risk of fatal accidents. Although there are laws enforcing the mandatory
wearing of helmets, motorcyclists are often reluctant to wear helmets because they
are perceived to be uncomfortable.
Studies in Thailand [1] and in the USA [2] found that men are less likely to wear
a helmet as compared to women; in contrast, research in Vietnam showed the reverse
trend [3]. In Thailand, research [4] showed that an increase in motorcyclists’ education level increased the use of helmets and contributed to a reduction in accidents.
The lack of comfort and inconvenience of helmets, particularly in relation to their
storage while not in use, has contributed to less helmet use [5, 6]. Anecdotal evidence
states that helmets are unpopular among riders of motorised two wheelers in India
because of the discomfort they feel in tropical climatic conditions [7]. An increase
in skin temperature is significant, as studies have shown that the temperature of the
head is the key in terms of perceived thermal comfort [8, 9].
A study [10] showed that, in high-income countries, wearing a properly fitted
helmet reduced the risk of head injury in an accident by 20–45%. In most lowincome countries, motorcycle helmets are infrequently worn by riders, for reasons
of discomfort, expense and lack of effectiveness in preventing head injuries [11, 12].
Many helmets manufactured locally in low-income countries are poorly constructed
and offer little or no effective protection to the head. The head being the main sensitive
region influencing the thermal comfort of the human body, any disincentive for
wearing protective headgear should be minimised [13, 14].
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license
to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
S. Kanesalingam and R. Nayak, Sustainable Phase Change and Polymeric Water
Absorbent Materials, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5750-7_1
1
Introduction
1.1 Scope
Motorcycle helmets are protective equipment used by motorcyclists to protect the
head, to minimise injuries and to save life in the event of an accident. At present, this
is the most effective intervention available to reduce head injuries to motorcyclists.
Motorcycle helmets greatly reduce injuries and fatalities in motorcycle accidents.
Thus, many countries have stringent legislation requiring the mandatory wearing
of helmets by motorcyclists. Due to high speeds, motorcyclists require protection
because of the risk of fatal accidents. Although there are laws enforcing the mandatory
wearing of helmets, motorcyclists are often reluctant to wear helmets because they
are perceived to be uncomfortable.
Studies in Thailand [1] and in the USA [2] found that men are less likely to wear
a helmet as compared to women; in contrast, research in Vietnam showed the reverse
trend [3]. In Thailand, research [4] showed that an increase in motorcyclists’ education level increased the use of helmets and contributed to a reduction in accidents.
The lack of comfort and inconvenience of helmets, particularly in relation to their
storage while not in use, has contributed to less helmet use [5, 6]. Anecdotal evidence
states that helmets are unpopular among riders of motorised two wheelers in India
because of the discomfort they feel in tropical climatic conditions [7]. An increase
in skin temperature is significant, as studies have shown that the temperature of the
head is the key in terms of perceived thermal comfort [8, 9].
A study [10] showed that, in high-income countries, wearing a properly fitted
helmet reduced the risk of head injury in an accident by 20–45%. In most lowincome countries, motorcycle helmets are infrequently worn by riders, for reasons
of discomfort, expense and lack of effectiveness in preventing head injuries [11, 12].
Many helmets manufactured locally in low-income countries are poorly constructed
and offer little or no effective protection to the head. The head being the main sensitive
region influencing the thermal comfort of the human body, any disincentive for
wearing protective headgear should be minimised [13, 14].
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license
to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
S. Kanesalingam and R. Nayak, Sustainable Phase Change and Polymeric Water
Absorbent Materials, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5750-7_1
1