The injury risk to wheelchair occupants using motor vehicle transportation

Songer, Thomas J.<sup>1</sup>; Fitzgerald, Shirley G.<sup>2</sup>; Rotko, Katherine A.<sup>2</sup>

Affiliations

¹Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

²Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Abstract

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.

Cited By (2)

Year	Entry
2017	Wiacek C, Prasad A, Weston D, Orton NR, Schneider L. Assessing the performance of steering wheel air bags for drivers seated in wheelchairs during frontal crash tests. In: Proceedings of the 25th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 5-8, 2017; Detroit, MI.
2013	Salipur Z. Consequences of Four-Point, Strap-Type Wheelchair Tiedown and Occupant Restraint System Practices on Wheelchair Passenger Safety in Fixed-Route Transit [PhD thesis]. University of Louisville; 2013.