Publication Details
An analysis of mopeds as a potential safety problem in the United States. Volume I: Review of the literature and data search
Type: Paper
Subtype: Final report
Author(s): Hunter, William W.; Stutts, Jane C.
Publisher: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Publication Date: May-1979
Number: DOT HS 805 035
Address: Washington, DC
Abstract: This project represents an attempt to forecast the possible moped accident problem that may occur in the United States over the next five to ten years. The three basic objectives are the following: (1) formulate a procedure to forecast the nature and scope of the moped accident problem that may develop in the U.S., (2) use the procedure to predict outcomes for input values such as sales volume, usage patterns and crash rates, and (3) based on the outputs, recommend NHTSA research and safety program action. This initial volume largely involves the examination of foreign literature sources, the goal being to identify and describe the use of the moped in other coutnries and to relate this where possible to the U.S. experience. Topics in this review include: (1) moped legislation in other countries and the U.S., (2) numbers of mopeds, extent of usage, and user characteristics, (3) accident data (primarily rider and environment), (4) collision characteristics, and (5) the nature of injuries to accident-involved moped riders. Also included as an appendix to the report are findings from an independently conducted market suvey. The thrust of the survey was to collect data on U.S. moped sales and the characteristics of the users. Interviews were conducted with executives of the six largest moped distributors in the U.S. for use as independent projections of future sales. The market survey also uncovered several consumer characteristic surveys. The analytical phase to this project, which synthesizes information from a variety of data sources to forecast future accident trends and identify research needs, is contained under separate cover (Volume II).