Motorcycle & ATV Crashes in New Zealand Resulting in Death and Hospitalization III: Non-traffic Crashes

Abstract

This is the third article in a series of three which describes the epidemiology of motorcycle and ATV crashes in New Zealand which result in death and hospitalization. The first article presented an overview of all motorcycle crashes and the second, traffic crashes. This article focuses on non-traffic crashes. The source of the fatality data was national electronic mortality data files for the years 1978 to 1987 inclusive, complemented by coroners' files. The source of morbidity data was national hospitalization (inpatient) data for the years 1980 through 1989. Four percent (n = 44) of all the motorcycling fatalities for the period 1978 through 1987 were non-traffic crashes giving a mortality rate of 0.1/100,000 persons per year. Similarly, for the period 1980 through 1989, there were 4,199 first admissions to public hospitals for the treatment of non-traffic motorcycling injuries, giving a rate of 12.9/100,000 population per year. Young males, especially those in the 15 through 19 age group, had the highest rates of injury, whereas 24% of the crashes involved persons less than 15 years of age. Occupational groups with high rates of injury were students, farmers, and metal and machine trades workers. The most common (40%) injury was a fracture of a limb (lower: 1,176; upper: 510) followed by head injuries (26%). Forty-eight percent of the incidents were described as having occurred on a “farm”. In a further 20% of incidents, there was some indication that the place of occurrence was being used as a motorsport venue. There were more students injured on farms than farmers (811 versus 695). A number of priority areas for action and prevention strategies are discussed. Age restriction on drivers and roll-over protection on four-wheeled motorcycles have been identified as two key means of reducing injury. Before vigorously pursuing any of these, it will be necessary to obtain more detailed information on motorcycle usage off road and the circumstances of crashes.

Full article can be found in: Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health
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