Seatbelt and Helmet Use - Injury Prevention
Data definitions, limitations & uses • Data Sources

The proper use of bicycle helmets can help prevent, or reduce the severity of head injuries that occur as a result of bicycle crashes or collisions. In Ontario, it is against the law for cyclists under the age of 18 to cycle without a helmet. Despite this legislation cyclists continue to cycle without helmets.

In 1996, only 37% of residents 12-19 years of age living in the combined regions of Leeds, Grenville and Lanark, Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington, and Hastings and Prince Edward (LGL/KFLA/HPE) wore a helmet every time they rode their bike (see figure 1). Further troubling is the fact that among all residents 12 and older, an even smaller proportion in this region wore a helmet every time they rode their bike (32%).

Seatbelts are the most effective way to prevent or reduce serious injury in a motor vehicle collision(MVC). Since the 1976, it has been mandatory for both drivers and passengers to wear seatbelts in motor vehicles in Canada. The 1996 Ontario Health Survey asked drivers whether or not they insisted that all passengers in their cars wear a seatbelt. Overall, in the combined regions of LGL/KFLA/HPE women were more likely than men to insist that their passengers use their seatbelts (81% of men and 93% of women) (see figure 2).

Data definitions, limitations & uses
Seat belt use
Helmet use

Data Sources
Ontario Health Survey, 1996

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