Deaths of older Australians related to their use of motorised mobility scooters

Abstract

This study describes motorized mobility scooter (MMS) rider-related fatalities in the older Australian population during the years 2000–2011, identified from the National Coronial Information System. Seventy-seven fatalities were identified, most aged 80 years or older (74.1%) and males predominated (76.6%). Most deaths (88.3%) resulted from collisions with motor vehicles or falling from the MMS. These findings are consistent with the reported morbidity data. Challenges to MMS case identification included lack of specification in reports to Coroners and inadequate codes. Improved specificity and coding are necessary to fully describe the extent of MMS-related injury. This study raises the issue of emerging largely unregulated consumer products. Further research is required to understand the uptake and use of MMS in the ageing population. Strategies are needed to decrease rider injuries whilst meeting community mobility needs.

Keywords:

• motorized mobility scooters
• National Coronial Information System
• elderly
• vulnerable
• road users
• gophers

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Jessica Pearse, Leanne Daking and Lisa Crockett, from the National Coronial Information System for assistance with case identification; and the National Injury Surveillance Unit for hospital morbidity data. All authors contributed to the intellectual formulation, analysis and drafting of the paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Note

Abbreviations
MMS	=	Motorised Mobility Scooters
NCIS	=	National Coronial Information System

Notes

1. Queensland data is from 2001

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) as part of a larger study.