Citation

Songer TJ, Fitzgerald SG, Rotko KA. Annu. Proc. Assoc. Adv. Automot. Med. 2004; 48: 115-129.

Affiliation

Center for Injury Research and Control, Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15319121

PMCID

PMC3217423

Abstract

The transportation safety experience for persons using wheelchairs is largely unknown. Motor vehicle crash involvement and injury frequency was examined in a telephone interview completed by 596 wheelchair users. Overall, 42% were drivers. Most subjects also rode as passengers in private vehicles (87%) and public vehicles (61%). Wheelchair use as a seat in the vehicle was higher among passengers than drivers. Crash involvement was highest among drivers and lower in passengers. Reported injuries from non-crash scenarios, though, were higher in passengers compared to drivers. Persons seated in wheelchairs in vehicles appear to be at a greater safety risk.