Bicycle. Mandatory helmets? Expert: It's not just about health. Why a bicycle helmet should be mandatory

I play prevention is worth much more than a kilo of treatment – emphasizes neurosurgeon Dr. Łukasz Rakasz, calling for the introduction of the obligation to put on helmets. In the podcast “medical intelligence” on TVN24+ he explained why it is so important – and not only on a bike.

– About 150 people die in bicycle accidents every year – he pointed out at the beginning of May on TVN24 The president of the Kask Association is cool! Rafał Wieczorek. – We don't know how many of these people could live if a helmet had. We will not reduce the number of accidents, but we can reduce their effects – he said. According to some estimates, a well -chosen helmet may reduce the risk of serious head injuries by 85 percent.

Priceless prevention

He spoke more broadly on this subject in “Medical Interview” on TVN24+ dr Łukasz Rakasz, head of the Neurosurgery Department at the Children's Hospital. prof. J. Bogdanowicz in Warsaw. He emphasized that the consequences of the accidents are “much smaller” if the victims had a helmet on their heads. – It is very well proven by scientific research that nothing has changed the results of treatment of head injuries, such as the introduction of helmets. The survival of these disproportionate patients has increased – emphasized the neurosurgeon.

– This gram of prevention is worth much more than a kilo of treatment – he added.

A mandatory bicycle helmet?

The expert advocated the legal regulation of wearing helmets. He stated that he “does not understand” why establishing them is still not mandatory. As he noted, helmets are not currently mandatory not only in the case of bicycles, but also in the case of much faster vehicles, such as electric scooters or bicycles equipped with engines. – I understand that helmets may not be seen as cool, but this can also be changed – said Dr. Rakasz, indicating that information campaigns could play an important role.

The neurosurgeon also explained why not only the victim and his loved ones pay for the lack of helmets, but the whole society. Which is especially visible on the example of children. – In children, the problem is even greater, because after these injuries, if they survive, the majority of them will be affected by some problems. And then we have a child who is 16 years old, will still live the 50s and this society will have to put on it – he said. – The question is whether we, as a society, can afford it for people to go without a helmet. In my opinion: we can't afford it – he noted.

Dr. Rakasz: I like to treat people

When asked by Joanna Kryńska about conversations after surgery saving life with patients or their parents, Dr. Rakasz replied that “he is from treatment, not from raising.” “I'm not to punish them or tell them about obvious things.” I am there to help them. Legislation should be to change it and the police should be to punish these people. I didn't become a policeman because I don't like to punish. I like to treat them – he concluded.

The entire interview with Dr. Łukasz Rakasz can be seen in the latest episode “Medical intelligence“, Podcast Joanna Kryńska in Tvn24+.