The injury risk to wheelchair occupants using motor vehicle transportation.
The transportation safety experience for persons using wheelchairs is largely unknown. Motor vehicle crash involvement and injury frequency was examined in a telephone interview completed by 596 wheelchair users. Overall, 42% were drivers. Most subjects also rode as passengers in private vehicles (87%) and public vehicles (61%). Wheelchair use as a seat in the vehicle was higher among passengers than drivers. Crash involvement was highest among drivers and lower in passengers. Reported injuries from non-crash scenarios, though, were higher in passengers compared to drivers. Persons seated in wheelchairs in vehicles appear to be at a greater safety risk.
Songer
Thomas J
TJ
Center for Injury Research and Control, Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Fitzgerald
Shirley G
SG
Rotko
Katherine A
KA
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001334:Automobile Driving; D001336:Automobiles; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018986:Motor Vehicles; D012306:Risk; D014910:Wheelchairs