EXPOSURE CHARACTERISTICS OF NORTH CAROLINA MOPED RIDERS

In North Carolina, surveys were conducted of moped riders (identified from warranty card information) in order to obtain moped exposure data (e.g. demographics, trip purpose, mileage) and rider opinions. Moped accident data from 1979 were compared with those of 1976-1978 and with the exposure data. Results of the surveys show moped riders to be evenly distributed from age 16 into the 60's. There are six times as many males as females, and 90% of the riders are white. Riders are also fairly well distributed by education, income group, and city population. Where primary use is designated, commuting to work is indicated most often, with pleasure riding second. When all trip purposes are totaled (not just principal use), shopping/errands constitute the trip purpose most often identified. About three-fourths ride less than 50 miles per week. Males are associated with higher weekly mileage, as are those who use the moped primarily for commuting to work. Average annual miles per rider are calculated to be about 1,330. The majority of riders (54%) indicate that residential streets are their primary road type, while low and high speed rural roads are the second and third choices. About one-fourth of the riders carry passengers occasionally, and about one-fifth either sometimes or always wear a helmet when riding. Hazardous features identified by moped riders include other drivers or vehicles (57%), the low speed and acceleration capability of the moped (10%), and the actions of the moped operator (10%). In 304 reported moped accidents in 1979, approximately 30% of the moped riders were seriously injured or killed. Accident-involved riders are fairly equally distributed by age. Over 90% are male, with females underrepresented in accidents in terms of their exposure. Some 30% of the accident-involved moped operators have been drinking (virtually all male). Of the riders involved in 1979 accidents, 21% were found to have a suspended or revoked license at the time of the accident.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

  Highway Safety Research Center
  Chapel Hill, NC  United States  27599
• Authors:
  • Hunter, W W
  • Stutts, J C
• Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 207 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Age; Crash exposure; Crashes; Data collection; Drivers; Drunk driving; Gender; Hazards; Helmets; Moped drivers; Passengers; Race; Surveys; Trip purpose
• Uncontrolled Terms: Driver age
• Subject Areas: Passenger Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00369655
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-031 114
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 31 1983 12:00AM