MOPEDS: Motorized Objects Propelling Ethanol Drinking Subjects

Abstract

Mopeds are not subject to the same laws and jurisdiction as cars or motorcycles, including the requirement of a driver's license. We undertook this study to examine the influence of alcohol (ETOH) on moped crashes. We retrospectively reviewed adult moped injuries compared with motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) and motorcycle crashes (MCCs) from 1995 through 2006. Demographics, severity of injury, mortality, and serum ETOH levels were recorded. Data were analyzed using the Student t test for continuous data and the χ2 test for proportional data. Motor vehicle crashes accounted for 7186 admissions. MCC and moped crashes numbered 973 and 113, respectively. Although not statistically significant ( P = 0.064), moped crashes yielded the highest mortality (9.7%) compared with MCCs (8.5%) and MVCs (6.7%). An increased association of blood ETOH levels with moped crashes, however, was statistically significant ( P = 0.004). Serum ETOH levels above 0.05 g/dL were observed in 1681 MVCs (23.4%), 241 MCCs (24.8%), and 44 moped crashes (39%). In this study, we discovered that moped crashes demonstrate a significantly higher ETOH involvement than either MVCs or MCCs representing a previously unrecognized public safety risk.

How Postmortem Redistribution of MDMA in Acute Alcohol-MDMA Combined-Use Rats Change under Effects of Alcohol

“…Although in some studies, stimulants reduced the drunkenness scores, or the deleterious effects of alcohol on psychomotor performance 6 , significant pharmacological changes were not found in other investigations. However, data on this postmortem alcohol-concerned combination has seldom been investigated previously; how the alcohol would affect the PMR of MDMA when MDMA consumed in association with alcohol?…”

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

“…In a recent study at another Level I trauma center, the authors noted that ''moped crashes demonstrate a significantly higher [alcohol] involvement than either MVCs [motor vehicle collisions] or MCCs [motorcycle collisions] representing a previously unrecognized public safety risk.'' 3 The authors found that moped collisions in which the operator of the moped was under the influence of alcohol comprise a larger proportion of the trauma patient population than was previously thought; however, prior criminal behavior was not evaluated. 3 Our study confirms and extends these results by demonstrating an association with prior criminal records, but also revealing that these patients are individuals who may habitually engage in high-risk behavior.…”

“…3 The authors found that moped collisions in which the operator of the moped was under the influence of alcohol comprise a larger proportion of the trauma patient population than was previously thought; however, prior criminal behavior was not evaluated. 3 Our study confirms and extends these results by demonstrating an association with prior criminal records, but also revealing that these patients are individuals who may habitually engage in high-risk behavior.…”

“…S EVERAL STATES, INCLUDING North Carolina, allow operation of mopeds without valid drivers' licenses. A moped is defined as a vehicle with a motor of less than 50-cc 3 and no external shifting device; in addition, it must not be capable of exceeding 30 miles per hour on a level surface. 1 At our institution, we anecdotally observed that a large number of patients in moped collisions were alcohol abusers with suspended licenses.…”