Characteristics of motorcyclists involved in accidents between motorcycles and automobiles

Abstract

Conflict of interest: none Introduction: traffic accidents are one of the main causes of death and disability, with motorcyclists representing the great majority of both the victims and the perpetrators. Objective: this work studied the characteristics of motorcyclists injured in accidents involving motorcycles and automobiles. Method: this study sought to interview 100 motorcyclists who had been injured in collisions between motorcycles and automobiles, and who were undergoing emergency hospital treatment in the region of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The questionnaires included demographic information (age, gender, skin color, education level, profession) and questions about years of licensed driving practice, how often they would drive an automobile, how long they had had a motorcycle driver's license, how often they would ride a motorcycle, the number of prior accidents involving a car, and the number of prior accidents not involving a car. Results: of the 100 consecutive accidents studied, 91 occurred with men and 9 with women, aged between 16 and 79 (m = 29 ± 11) years. Regarding their reason for using a motorcycle, 83% reported using it for transport, 7% for work, and 10% for leisure. Most of these accident victims had secondary or higher education (47%). Of the motorcyclists who held a car driver's license, 68.3% drove the vehicle daily or weekly and held the license for more than one year. Sixty-seven percent of the accident victims used a motorcycle daily and had a motorcycle driver's license for at least one year. Conclusion: among the motorcyclists injured, most were men aged 20 years or older, with complete secondary education, and experienced in driving both motorcycles and cars, indicating that recklessness while driving the motorcycle is the main cause of traffic accidents.

The Role of Journey Purpose in Road Traffic Injuries: A Bayesian Network Approach

“…e findings of the current study, according to the type of vehicle, suggest that motorcycles account for a probability of 21.3% of suffering a serious or a fatal. ese results are consistent with the results of the study conducted by de Oliveira, Petroianu [44], and these authors argue that recklessness of motorcyclists while driving is the main cause of traffic accidents. Also, the authors emphasize that besides motorcycles, bicycle cyclists have a high probability of suffering a serious accident, reaching (14.0%) and coinciding with the result of our study (14.6%).…”

“…On the other hand, business trip is less probable to result in high-risk accidents. is is in keeping with the work of de Oliveira, Petroianu [44] who explain how recklessness while driving a motorcycle could be argued as the main cause of tra c accidents. In their study only 7% of displacement with motorcycles was for work.…”

Óbitos e feridos graves por acidentes de trânsito em Goiânia, Brasil - 2013: magnitude e fatores associados*

“…9 In Brazil, studies conducted in 2013 and 2015 have showed a similar reality , giving motorcycles an impeller factor of violence in current days. 19 The increase in the frequency of accidents involving motorcyclists may be explained by the sharp increase in the rate of motorization for motorcycles from 2008, in the country. The fact is associated with the ease of credit to purchase this type of vehicle, to increase the income of the population and the low quality of collective public transport in most Brazilian cities.…”

“…20 Other factors that may be associated to traffic accidents involving motorcyclists are risk behaviors adopted by them, as for example, the passage between vehicles in adjacent rows, in addition to the occupational risks inherent in the precarious labor ties common among users of motorcyclists. 19 Since the worsening of injuries suffered in this type of accident can be explained by the high vulnerability of the type of vehicle, greater exposure index of the motorcyclist, as well as neglect or improper use of the recommended safety equipment. 17.20 Cyclists had higher risk of serious injury and death in relation to other modes of transport.…”

Epidemiological Profile of Motorcycle Accident Victims in University Hospital

“…1 In Brazil, it is estimated more than 980,000 deaths following traffic trauma between 1980 and 2011. 2 From 1998 to 2010, the motorcycle fleet growth in Brazil was 490%, jumping from 2,800,000 to 16,500,000, supported by government policies that stimulated manufacturing, reduced the cost, and enabled the financing of these vehicles. It is important to highlight that, in the same period, the automobiles general fleet growth was 160%, which indicates a growth three times higher in the number of motorcycles.…”