Protective equipment such as helmets, seatbelts and child restraint systems have been shown to be very effective in protecting road users from death or serious injury. If used correctly, motorcycle helmets can reduce fatal crashes by around 40% and the chance of severe head injury by almost 70%. Similarly, bicycle helmets can reduce fatal injury to the head or brain by 71% on average. Seatbelts are shown to reduce the risk of fatal incidents by 60% for occupants in the front of a vehicle and 44% for those in the rear. For child restraint systems, research shows that children who are correctly restrained are around 60% less likely to be killed or injured compared to unrestrained children.
While compliance with legislation on drivers and passengers wearing a seatbelt is relatively high, some countries still face problems, particularly with passengers in rear seats. Compliance with rules on the wearing of motorcycle helmets is also relatively high, though again with exceptions in some countries. In contrast, bicycle helmets and child restraint systems have a high prevalence of incorrect or non-use.
Education programmes can help to promote the use of protective equipment but it is also important that legislation is enforced. The perceived chance of being checked or fined for incorrect or non-use of protective equipment is relatively low in most EU countries.
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