Brief ReportIncrease in moped injuries requiring emergency care☆,☆☆,★,★★
Introduction
In the United States, mopeds, defined as 2-wheeled motorized vehicles with an automatic transmission and an engine displacement of less than 50 cc, are becoming a popular mode of transportation, with sales increasing by up to 60% [1], [2]. Several studies have acknowledged the inherent risk of injury associated with mopeds [3], [4], [5]. In South Carolina, the number of moped fatalities has increased yearly from calendar year 2007 to 2011 [3]. Studies have also demonstrated that alcohol is associated with significantly more moped-related accidents compared with other motor vehicle accidents [4], [5].
Although mopeds have become more popular in recent years, most research dates back to the late 1980s and it is unclear if these data represent current national trends and characteristics of moped-related injuries. The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database contains a wealth of information regarding moped injuries presenting to US emergency departments (EDs) across the nation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of moped-related injuries presenting to the ED by using a national database. This study also aims to explore the implications of these findings, which will help guide injury prevention efforts.
Section snippets
Methods
The NEISS database is a stratified sample of approximately 100 EDs in the United States and its territories which operate 24 hours a day and have at least 6 beds. The Consumer Product Safety Commission monitors injuries in these US hospital EDs using the NEISS database. The NEISS database was established in 1972 and has undergone revisions in its sampling frame in calendar years 1978 and 1990. Participating US hospital EDs submit data from their electronic medical records to the NEISS database.
Results
From calendar years 2007 to 2015, there were 114 729 injuries attributable to mopeds (95% CI, 102 156-127 302). The number of moped-related injuries by year is shown in Fig. 1. A linear model of the total number of moped-related injuries regressed on year yielded a slope B = 762.1 (P < .01).
The average number of moped injuries annually was 12 748. The mean age was 34 years (median, 30; range, 85). Patients between the ages of 19 and 38 years represented approximately 42% of the study population
Discussion
Previous studies that have investigated moped injuries date back to the 1970s and 1980s and used small, local hospital data sets [1], [9]. It is unclear if these data represent current national trends and characteristics of moped-related injuries. This study is the first study to investigate the epidemiology of moped-related injuries using nationally representative data.
In this study, there was a statistically significant increase in the annual number of moped injuries from calendar years 2007
Conclusions
Moped injuries have increased in recent years and are a source of serious injury. Further research is warranted to evaluate specific interventions to reduce the number and severity of moped injuries.
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Cited by (6)
Understanding patterns of moped and seated motor scooter (50 cc or less) involved fatal crashes using cluster correspondence analysis
2023, Transportmetrica A: Transport ScienceState helmet laws and helmet use among fatally injured moped riders in the United States, 2011–2015
2018, Traffic Injury PreventionAdult moped-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency departments
2019, Traffic Injury PreventionMoped collisions: Low speed and high impact-a single-center review
2017, American Surgeon
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Meetings: This study was presented at the 2015 SAEM annual national conference in San Diego, CA, on May 13th, 2015.
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Funding source: None.
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Financial disclosures: All authors have no financial disclosures relevant to this article to disclose.
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Conflicts of interest: All authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to this article to disclose.