A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE ANNUAL INJURY RISK FOR MOTORIZED VEHICULAR RECREATION

摘要

Accidents associated with mainly recreational motorized vehicles account for many thousands of injuries annually in the United States. Consequently, the attention of safety and risk research is continually focused in this area. Unlike passenger cars, where robust accident and vehicle population data exist, recreational vehicles are often unlicensed and unregistered. Thus, assembling accurate data on usage and accidents can be challenging. Recent investigation of the risks associated with all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), motorized cycles with three or four wheels for off-road use, has resulted in a wealth of associated research into the risks of other forms of recreation. Using appropriate data sources, the injury risks associated with several forms of motorized vehicular recreation are reported. These risk levels are compared to passenger car risk, and risks of some forms of non-motorized active recreation. The risks associated with the forms of motorized recreation analyzed fall within the range of popular forms of non-motorized active recreation.