TY - JOUR PY - 2018// TI - Mopeds: the high cost of cheap and poorly legislated transportation for negligent drivers JO - Accident analysis and prevention A1 - Ode, Gabriella A1 - Sing, Ronald A1 - Hsu, Joseph A1 - Seymour, Rachel A1 - Bosse, Michael SP - 121 EP - 127 VL - 117 IS - N2 - INTRODUCTION: This study evaluates the impact of moped crashes in North Carolina, a state with lenient moped legislation by(1) describing the characteristics of moped crashes and (2) estimating the cost burden of moped-related injuries.

METHODS: Health and public records of moped crash subjects treated at our hospital were reviewed. Direct costs were billed hospital charges. Indirect costs based on age and outcomes were calculated.

RESULTS: Between 2008-2013, 368 subjects were involved in 373 moped crashes. 52% of drivers were intoxicated. 38% of drivers had prior DWIs and 26% had prior revoked licenses. Hospitalized subjects (n = 305) had a combined 2687 hospital days, 695 ICU days and 449 trips to the operating room for treatment of their injuries. Average hospital charges were $70,561 per subject. Total direct and indirect costs of moped injuries were over $26 million and $81 million respectively. Medicaid absorbed most of the direct cost ($13.7 M). Estimated direct cost of moped crashes across the state totaled $133 million.

CONCLUSION: Healthcare and financial ramifications of moped collisions are substantial. Laws governing moped drivers and stricter penalties for intoxicated drivers are needed.

Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0001-4575 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2018.03.023 ID - ref1 ER -