Work-related road traffic accidents: emergence of new modes of personal journey. Analysis based on data from a register of road traffic accidents

Introduction According to the 2018–2019 People Mobility Survey, work-related journeys (commuting and on-duty journeys) account for approximately 25% of all journeys. The use of non-motorized (nm) and motorized (m) personal mobility devices (PMDs) has steadily increased since their introduction into the French market in the last decade. Objective This study aimed to describe the characteristics of work-related road crashes and their evolution since the introduction of new PMDs in France and the increase in the use of scooters. Materials and methods This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study using data from the Rhône Road Trauma Registry. Data were collected from 2015 to 2020. We included the data for the victims aged 18–70 years who were injured in work-related road crashes. Results We identified 11,296 individuals aged 18–70 years who experienced work-related road crashes. An injury report was provided for a total of 11,277 patients. A total of 546 passengers and 78 drivers of other motorized vehicles (buses/trams, construction equipment, and tractors) were excluded from the analysis. Seven patients died at the time of the crash, and seven died after hospitalization. Of the 10,653 (94.4%) victims, there were pedestrians (5.1%), or riders of bicycles (16.9%), scooters (3.8%), other PMDs (roller blades, skateboards, monowheels, gyropods, and hoverboards; 0.4%) and motorized two-wheeler (21.4%), or drivers of car (45.3%), and truck (1.5%). More than half of the scooter riders and 80% of other PMD riders were men. More than 60% of other PMD riders and 53% of scooter riders were under 34 years of age. Most scooter road crashes occurred during commuting (95.6%). Sixty-five percent of the scooter crashes and 50% of other PMD crashes did not have opponents. Overall, one-quarter of the victims experienced crashes without opponents. Most scooter riders had injuries to their upper limbs (59.2%), lower limbs (46.8%), face (21.2%) or head (17.9%). Discussion Most work-related road crashes were of low or moderate severity (97.5%; Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale, MAIS score < 3). The frequency and severity of injuries among scooter and other PMD users were similar. Scooter opponents were rarely observed in pedestrian injuries (12/575). Most scooter- and other PMD-crashes did not have opponents. Conclusion Many head injuries could be prevented with more widespread use of helmets, among scooter- and other PMD users and bicycle users. What is already known on this topic The use of personal mobility devices (PMDs) has steadily increased in France. Work-related journeys (commuting and on-duty journeys) account for approximately 25% of all journeys What this study adds We describe work-related road crashes’ characteristics since PMDs’ introduction. Work-related road crashes involving scooters or other PMDs riders are of low severity. Most scooter riders had injuries to their upper limbs (59.2%), lower limbs (46.8%), face (21.2%) or head (17.9%). How this study might affect research, practice or policy Many head injuries could be prevented with more widespread helmet use. Companies can take preventive actions to ensure that employees are better informed.