title: 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.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Forensic Medicine , Monash University , Melbourne , Australia.
authors.forename: Fiona Ann
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Kitching
authors.affiliation: a Department of Forensic Medicine , Monash University , Melbourne , Australia.
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ozanne-Smith
authors.affiliation: a Department of Forensic Medicine , Monash University , Melbourne , Australia.
authors.forename: Katharine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.affiliation: b Monash Injury Research Institute , Monash University , Clayton , Australia.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clapperton
authors.affiliation: b Monash Injury Research Institute , Monash University , Clayton , Australia.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cassell
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents / Q000401:mortality* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D018986:Motor Vehicles / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality
keywords: National Coronial Information System; elderly; gophers; motorized mobility scooters; road users; vulnerable