Moped Crashes are Just as Dangerous as Motorcycle Crashes

Abstract

Mopeds’ (MP) limited speed gives the impression that they are safer than motorcycles (MCs), but factors other than speed may contribute to crash outcome. Records of patients involved in MC or MP crashes evaluated at the University of Louisville Hospital emergency department between 2010 and 2014 were reviewed. Among patients who required hospital admission, the frequency of rib fractures, hemo- or pneumothorax, abdominal injury, extremity injury, and vertebral body fractures were greater in the MC group, whereas head and facial injuries were more common in the MP group. Positive toxicology screens were equivalent (MC 51.8% vs MP 56.8%, P = 0.25), and fewer MP riders wore helmets (33.8% vs 9.2%, P < 0.01). The injury severity score for MC was higher (15.2 vs 13.9, P = 0.039), but mortality was equivalent between groups (7.5 vs 7.6%, P = 0.98). Among patients discharged from the emergency department with minor injuries, frequency of all injury types were equivalent. Although MC patients had a statistically higher injury severity score, differences were clinically similar with equal mortality rate. Moped riders are just as likely to suffer death or serious injury after a crash compared with MC riders, and injury prevention efforts should be aimed at both groups.