Motorcycle crashes resulting in hospitaladmissions in South Australia: crash characteristics and injury patterns

This study examined records from the Royal Adelaide Hospital for 763 motorcyclists (admitted January 2008-November 2010 and April 2014-December 2016). Records were linked with police-reported crash data and blood test results. Compared with 1617 car drivers admitted over the same periods, motorcyclists were younger, more commonly male, more likely to hold a learner permit, and less likely to be over the legal alcohol limit. Their crashes were more likely to be single vehicle and more common on weekends and in 50 and 80 km/h speed limits. They also had a higher injury severity. Countermeasures to improve motorcycling safety are discussed.