Citation

Haworth N, Nielson A, Greig K. J. Australas. Coll. Road Saf. 2008; 19(3): 31-37.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Australasian College of Road Safety)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Little is known about the crash involvement of mopeds and motor scooters, although their sales are booming. In Queensland, car licenses are needed to ride mopeds, which make up most motor scooters. The authors begin by offering definitions of mopeds and motor scooters, and then discuss how, in crash and other databases, there is difficulty in identifying them. Moped crashes identified from Queensland Transport-supplied crash and registration data analysis results are then presented. Two hundred twenty seven vehicles involved in crashes were classed as mopeds in the registration, but an additional 79 mopeds were identified through further make and model information examination. There was an increase in the number of moped crashes to 97 in 2005 from 25 in 2001. Of these, riders licensed in Queensland showed a larger percentage in crash growth than riders licensed elsewhere. "Fall from vehicle" (23%) and "angle" (37%) were the most common crash types. Moped crashes, as opposed to motorcycle crashes, were more likely to happen in low speed zones, on weekdays, and in tourist areas. Again, as opposed to motorcycle riders, moped riders involved in crashes were more likely to hold an interstate (10.8% versus 1.3%) or overseas (7.8% versus 0.7%) license, be younger in age, and be female (37.9% versus 7.2%). The authors discuss challenges in crash data results analysis interpretation.