Journal article on motorcycle injuries across age groups

I found this scholarly article very interested. I added up the numbers, and that's 1.4 million motorcyclists admitted to emergency rooms over 8 years.
________________________________

Injury patterns and severity among motorcyclists treated in US emergency departments, 2001–2008: a comparison of younger and older riders. (Journal of) Injury Prevention, 2013.

ByTracy L Jackson and Michael J Mello


Abstract

Objective To examine differences across age groups in patterns of injuries sustained from motorcycle crashes.

Methods Cross-sectional data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program were used to assess emergency department-treated injuries resulting from motorcycle crashes in the USA from 2001 to 2008. Trends in injury frequency, and types and severity of injuries sustained among those aged 20–39 years, 40–59 years, and 60+ years were compared.

Results An estimated 65 660 patients 60 years and older, 466 125 patients aged 40–59 years and 921 229 patients aged 20–39 years were treated in US emergency rooms for injuries sustained in motorcycle crashes from 2001 to 2008. The number of injuries increased in all groups from 2001 to 2008, with the greatest rate of increase occurring in the oldest age group. Older adults had a threefold increased rate of hospitalisation (OR=3.05; 95% CI 2.58 to 3.59) compared with younger adults. Middle age adults had a nearly twofold increased odds of hospitalisation (OR=1.89; 95% CI 1.70 to 2.11; p<0.0001) compared with younger adults. Analysis of injury severity showed a similar pattern with both older adults (OR=2.46; 95% CI 2.02 to 3.01) and middle age adults (OR=1.66, 95% CI 1.52 to 1.82) having significantly increased odds of severe injury compared with younger adults.

Conclusions Older adults involved in motorcycle crashes are prone to more severe injuries than younger adults. The increased number of older adults riding motorcycles should put further focus on risk of injury to this population.

 

For number one, that's logical. We're more prone to severe injuries *sneezing* than younger adults.

Number two seems speculative, it draws a conclusion about general activity risk but only while talking of one specific activity.

 

Another cause maybe is there are a LOT more middle age riders.

 

if you watch some of those crash videos from asia with the scooters, it's always younger people who jump right up after the hit. 40 and 50 somethings would not do that and 60 somethings might roll over and take a little nap then get up

 

LMAO!!

 

Number two has to be read within the context and the scope of that paper. I doubt that the authors are speculating about general activities.

 

Older riders may have more injuries reported because they LIVE . Last I knew, death wasn't an injury..... It's a result of injury.

 

I recently read something similar in the local paper.. Middle aged rider accidents and injuries were up and the authors suggested it was because many of the new riders (mid-life i need a motorbike crisis types) are buying bikes and forgoing any rider safety courses.

The assertion was that younger new riders more often opt for the rider safety courses, where older new riders do not.

I just started riding motor bikes last year, but have been an avid and confident mountain biker for nearly 20... However, I am no idiot. I am 34 and I took the motorbike safety course, after getting my xj650j, because it was a good effing idea, and i was able to get my state rating as a part of the course.

I was, by about 10 years, the oldest student in the class.

Arrogance and over confidence is a killer, and many of the mid life types may suffer from these conditions. The stats appear to back this one up.

Rider safety is paramount, folks!

 

Berkley did a study once and found that motorcyclists are more prone to injury and death in an accident than drivers of cars.
Duh. And they were given grant money for this.

 

Some of their other studies are even more ridiculous.....

As far as more younger riders opting for safety courses--- there's a handle of them that SHOULDtake it before they kill someone.... They go screaming by here around 100mph and they an be heard for a couple miles either direction...

 

ill admit im 20 and im an idiot when i ride sometimes. but its all the power taunting me and afterwards i look back and realize. yup that was stupid of me. but then again some of the drivers around here are stupid too and i'd rather not be any where near them