The aim of the current investigation was to compare off-road crashes with on-road crashes. The data used was sourced from interviews conducted in Northern Queensland with serious injury patients hospitalised for 24 hours or more after a rural road crash. Of the classifiable crashes, approximately half were motorcycle crashes, of which a half again were off-road crashes. Of the crashes involving cars, roughly 15 per cent were off-road crashes. Results showed males constituted the majority of all motorcycle crashes, with younger males particularly involved in off-road motorcycle incidents. Off-road motorcycling was identified particularly with greater proportions of riding for pleasure, unlicensed riding, unregistered vehicle use and travelling on an unfamiliar track or road. In terms of illegal behaviours, just under 10 per cent of all subgroups reported recreational drug use. Non-use of helmets and seatbelts was higher for off-road compared to on-road groups, though a notable proportion of on-road users also reported non-use. Off-road motorcyclists were more likely to be unlicensed to ride, riding unregistered vehicles and unfamiliar with the area or road. The results are discussed in relation to how this data can inform official crash data sources and the development of interventions to target specific high-risk sub-groups in rural and remote areas. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E215375.
Abstract