Who is more vulnerable in crashes between motorized 2-wheelers and pedestrians?

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to understand the characteristics and underlying contributing factors in crashes between motorized 2-wheelers (M2Ws) and pedestrians in India.

Methods: For the purpose of this study, data from the Road Accident Sampling System–India (RASSI) collected from April 1, 2011, to March 31, 2018, were analyzed. A sample of 97 crashes between M2Ws and pedestrians was studied to understand their characteristics and contributing factors.

Results: Seventy percent of the crashes occurred while pedestrians were crossing the road. Seventy-five percent of M2W riders and 47% of pedestrians with age indicated were in the age group 21–50. Seventy-eight percent of M2W riders were not wearing helmets. Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale (MAIS) 3+ injuries were sustained by 55% of pedestrians and 32% of M2W riders. Poor pedestrian infrastructure or a lack thereof influenced the occurrence of 63% of crashes.

Conclusions: This study shows that M2Ws pose a considerable risk to pedestrians in terms of causing fatal and serious injuries in such inter–vulnerable road user (VRU) crashes. Though helmet enforcement could aid in mitigating injuries among M2W riders, proper infrastructure planning would benefit both. Further study is warranted to explore other dimensions of inter-VRU crashes.

Keywords:

• Vulnerable road users (VRUs)
• motorized 2-wheelers (M2Ws)
• pedestrians
• inter-VRU crashes