Moped Collisions among Patients with Revoked Drivers’ Licenses are a Significant Public Health Problem: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Many states do not require a license to operate a moped, defined as a motor vehicle with less than 50-cc engine displacement. These vehicles may therefore serve as a mode of transportation for those who are driving without a license and who may have a history of prior high-risk behavior. We hypothesized that those involved in moped collisions were more likely to have previous convictions for driving while intoxicated (DWI) and other non-DWI offenses than those on conventional motorcycles. At a Level I trauma center, we queried the trauma registry from January 2005 to October 2010 for admissions after motorcycle or moped collisions. Classification of mechanism of injury was verified through chart review. Corrections databases from our state were then reviewed for previous convictions for DWI and other offenses. One thousand seventy-three patients over the study period were involved in motorcycle or moped collisions; 94 were from another state. Of the patients identified from our state, 249 had moped collisions and 730 had motorcycle collisions. Forty-nine per cent (121) of moped drivers had a history of DWI versus only 8 per cent (56) of motorcycle drivers ( P ≤ 0.05). Sixty-four per cent (161) of moped drivers were previously convicted of a crime versus 20 per cent (146) of those on motorcycles ( P ≤ 0.05). Moped drivers were significantly more likely to have a prior conviction of DWI as well as prior convictions of other crimes, establishing a pattern of disregard for the law. The use of these vehicles without a license likely presents a risk to public safety. Legislation to require licensing before moped operation should be considered.

Moped Crashes are Just as Dangerous as Motorcycle Crashes

“…15,16 In some studies, almost half of MP drivers involved in motor vehicle crashes had a history of driving a car or MC under the influence of alcohol. 17,18 In many countries, traffic conditions may limit the top speed MPs can achieve in This study was presented as a poster at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Surgical Congress, February 20-23, 2016 in Atlanta, GA.…”

Alcohol, Injuries, and Outcomes Comparing Injured Moped and Motorcycle Drivers

“…It can be speculated that lower rates of employment and health insurance may be related to their higher rate of criminality and alcohol abuse, as previously noted. 3 Injury patterns differed between the groups, including higher rates of head injuries in moped drivers. We theorize that this difference may be because of disparity in helmet use, though that data were unavailable.…”

“…The lack of regulation provides a legal mode of transportation for operators who have had their driver's licenses rescinded for a variety of reasons, including previous driving while intoxicated or other criminal charges. 3 Although previous investigations have analyzed injury patterns in motorcycle crashes, there has been limited evaluation of moped crashes, which involve passengers who are less regulated than motorcyclists. Our hypothesis in the current investigation is that there are significant differences between moped and motorcycle drivers involved in crashes.…”

Risky Ride or Carefree Drive? An Analysis of Virginia’s Moped Safety and Registration Law on Operator Collision and Injury Outcomes

“…The limited literature on moped collision risk factors highlights the influence of alcohol and lack of licensing. In a cohort study of North Carolina emergency room admissions records, admitted patients from moped collisions had a relative risk of 4.8 of having a DWI (driving while intoxicated) compared with that of admitted motorcycle operators ( 4 ). In a review of Florida crash incidents, moped operators who were found to have consumed alcohol had a relative risk of 2.09 of experiencing a severe crash versus a non-severe crash ( 5 ).…”