The effect of driver age and working hours on increased motorcycle accidents with the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional case study

Abstract

Aim: In the present study, the purpose was to investigate the effects of environmental and personal risk factors on accidents in the motor courier business, which expanded with the pandemic. Material and Method: A total of 227 patients who applied to the Emergency Department after motorcycle accidents between After Pandemic (AP) March 2020-March 2022 and Before Pandemic (BP) March 2018-March 2020 period were included in the study. Statistical differences were analyzed regarding the number of motorcycle accidents before and after the pandemic, the occupation of the patients, driving experiences, weather conditions, and the timing of the accident. Results: No statistically significant differences were detected between the mean age, gender distribution, occupational distribution, accident occurrence time, and duration of experience of the patients in motorcycle accidents admitted to the Emergency Department (p>0.05). Statistically significant differences were detected between the weekly working hours of the patients BP and AP (p<0.05). The rate of couriers under the age of 30 and their working time were found to be significantly higher than the other occupational groups in the AP period (p<0.01). Conclusion: The present study showed that the increase in motorcycle accidents with the pandemic did not differ professionally but could be associated with the extended working hours and being under 30 years old. The study can provide useful information on designing accident-avoidance policies and guidelines for motorcycle couriers.

Keywords

• Motorcycle couriers
• personal risk factors
• accident-avoidance policies

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