Citation

Cunto FJC, Ferreira S. J. Transp. Saf. Secur. 2017; 9(Suppl 1): 33-46.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Southeastern Transportation Center, and Beijing Jiaotong University, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/19439962.2016.1162891

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Brazilian traffic environment has experienced a disproportionate growth in motorcycle use over the last 15 years. Unfortunately the same trend has been observed for crash frequency and severity in the category in part by their relative exposure as well as vulnerability. This study investigates factors that influence the severity of motorcycle accidents in urban streets of Fortaleza. Traditional and mixed ordered logit models were calibrated using a sample of 3,232 observations of traffic accidents from 2004 to 2011. Physical levels of injury inflicted to motorcyclists were grouped as "no apparent injury", "slight injury", "serious injury" and "fatal injury." The models were developed using several variables as risk factors.

RESULTS suggested that motorcyclists using helmets reduced by 9% their chances of suffering severe and fatal injuries after the crash. Accidents during the daylight as well as on weekdays presented lower risk of resulting in fatal injuries than during night time and weekends and crashes involving motorcyclists above 61 years old have 22% more probability of resulting in severe and fatal injuries as compared to young riders. Most of these findings can be associated with commonly reported risky behavior from motorcyclists such as speeding, improper lane changes and red light running.

Language: en