Severity of Motorcycle Accidents Related to the Engine Power
Keywords:
Severity, , Accidents, , Motorcycle, , Engine PowerAbstract
Introduction: According to the World Health Organization, Thailand is ranked among the countries with the highest road mortality rates worldwide. Understanding the contributing factors of these accidents is therefore critical, as it provides the empirical basis needed to support effective policy development, safety interventions, and legal enforcement. These efforts are vital to mitigating losses and improving road safety outcomes in the future.
Objective: To Evaluating the severity and factors associated with road accidents across different engine displacements and identifying related risk factors.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study of road traffic injury cases involving motorcycle users as the primary mode of transportation in Phuket Province from 2021 to 2023.
Results: Engine capacity greater than 150 cc, not wearing a helmet, and riding at speeds exceeding 90 km/h were significantly associated with higher AIS scores, with helmet non-use presenting the highest risk. Not wearing a helmet was also significantly associated with accident occurrence (p < 0.001). In addition, riding at speeds ≥ 90 km/h and traveling on main roads were significantly associated with accidents (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively). "There was a statistically significant positive correlation between accident severity and ISS scores (p < 0.01). Specifically, each one-level increase in accident severity was associated with a 1-point increase in the average ISS score.
Conclusion: The study indicates that non-helmet use and high-speed driving, combined with specific factors such as poor tire condition and inadequate street lighting, are key determinants directly associated with injury severity (AIS score). A distinguishing feature of this research that sets it apart from previous studies is the integration of local environmental factors, which were found to be statistically significant. Consequently, adopting proactive measures alongside physical infrastructure improvements offers a more targeted approach to accident reduction than traditional awareness campaigns alone.
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