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Wheelchair users at increased risk of death from road traffic collisions

Between 2006 and 2012, individuals using wheelchairs were significantly more likely to be killed from a motor vehicle crash, compared with those not using wheelchairs, according to recently published data.

“[This study] finds that the risk of pedestrian crash death is significantly higher for pedestrians who use wheelchairs then those who do not…Mortality risk in concentrated predominantly among middle-aged wheelchair users and males, and these patterns are broadly consistent with previous findings from both mortality and morbidity studies,” John D. Kraemer, JD, MPH, department of health systems administration, and Connor S. Benton, School of Medicine, Georgetown University, wrote.

John D. Kraemer

Kraemer and Benton analyzed two-source capture-recapture data to assess the frequency of fatal road crashes involving pedestrians using wheelchairs between 2006 and 2012.

Results demonstrated that fatal crashes involving pedestrians who used wheelchairs were 36% higher compared with fatal crashes involving individuals without wheelchairs (P = .02).

Men in wheelchairs were five times more likely than women in wheelchairs to be involved in a fatal crash (P < .001). Men aged 50 to 64 years were 75% more likely to be involved in a fatal road collision, compared with men of the same age who were not using wheelchairs, according to the researchers.

More than 47% of crashes that occurred at an intersection involved wheelchair users within a crosswalk. Moreover, 18.3% of collisions at an intersection had no available crosswalk. According to the researchers, drivers often failed to yield to wheelchair users at the time of fatal crashes.

The researchers noted the importance of provisions from the Americans with Disabilities Act, such as ramps, sidewalks and curb cuts, in ensuring the safety of individuals using wheelchairs.

“The principal preventive medicine message is probably the same to protect pedestrians who use wheelchairs as for those who do not. Behavior change for drivers that protects pedestrians should be a priority: working to eliminate texting and other distracted driving, obeying speed limits and other traffic controls, and remembering that pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users are present,” Kraemer told Healio.com/Family Medicine. – by Casey Hower

Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.