The diffusion of innovation theory, one of the firstborn social science theories, can be applied to the passage of universal helmet legislation in the U.S. States. This is due in part to the many injury accidents and incidents that occurred. This trend began to elevate in high numbers during the 1970s and 1980s. There were major motorcycle injuries around the 1980s, due to lack of motorcycle prevention initiatives, such as helmet legislation. Also, the 1975 federal legislation relating the use of motorcycle helmet were investigated in the article of Dardis & Lefkowitz (1987). In this study, Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) data was used from 1980-1982 to estimate major injuries of 1981 (Dardis & Lefkowitz, 1987). Critical questions were raised concerning the scale that society should intervene on behalf of consumers because 31 states did not have comprehensive helmet laws in 1981.
The passage of Universal Helmet Legislation (UHL) requiring motorcycle riders of all ages to wear helmets is a timely and controversial issue that has evolved with far-reaching public health implications, especially as the number of motorcycle fatalities continues to rise. The notion of the application of Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DOI) is used in this fashion to explain how evolving high fatalities have brought about a system change on the use of a motorcycle helmet. In 2008, only 20 states had a universal helmet policy, an effective safety measure for reducing motorcycle fatalities and serious injuries (Homer, Jenny & French, 2009).
A research study by the Universal Helmet Laws (UHL) reduces Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) in young motorcyclists. According to trauma surgeons (2014), UHL and DOI have proven to reduce traumatic brain injuries even in young motorcyclists. Patients included in the study were motorcycle riders (passengers or drivers) who had been in an accident and were admitted to a hospital for TBI. The diffusion of innovation theory’s strength is aimed at hastening the espousal of vital public health programs, such as the universal helmet statute that typically aim to change the behavior of a social system.
A total of 1,165,150 patients with trauma-related hospitalization across 39 states were reviewed. Of those, 598 patients with motorcycle accidents were identified. States were classified into 3 groups based on helmet legislation: universal helmet legislation, less than 18-years helmet legislation and less than 21-years helmet legislation (Universal helmet laws reduce traumatic brain injuries in young motorcyclists, according to trauma surgeons, 2014). The researchers found that the incidence of TBI was significantly less in States with universal helmet laws compared to states with age-restricted helmet laws.
There are many public health officials and advocates that have led the effort to redefine injury as a pressing public health problem and to promote it as a scientific discipline. It seemed like the diffusion of innovation theory only works better to help adopt a behavior of using motorcycle helmets, in the prevention of accidental injuries. However, the theory seemed to have failed in situations where behavior is bad and needs to avert a behavior. For example, rather than adopting a behavior, how can it prevent a behavior in a social system, such as preventing tobacco consumption?
Dardis, R., & Lefkowitz, C. (1987). Motorcycle helmet laws: A case study of consumer protection. The Journal of Consumer Affairs, 21(2), 202. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/195914129?accountid=14872
Homer, Jenny, M.P.A., M.P.H., & French, M., Ph.D. (2009). Motorcycle helmet laws in the United States from 1990 to 2005: Politics and public health. American Journal of Public Health, 99(3), 415-23. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/215091562?accountid=14872
Universal helmet laws reduce traumatic brain injuries in young motorcyclists, according to trauma surgeons. (2014). U.S.Newswire. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1617532698?accountid=14872
