High-power motorcycle accidents in Spain: a descriptive study.

PURPOSE: In modern societies, motorcycle accidents have become a great problem for health systems worldwide. In Spain, the size and the power of the engine of 2-wheel vehicles determine the type of driving license and the age at which these vehicles can be used (mopeds and motorcycles, which at the same time can have a small or large engine capacity). The objective of the present study was to analyze and characterize low- and high-power motorcycle accidents in Spain, between 2014 and 2020, both included and compared these categories with each other.

METHODS

Retrospective, descriptive, and observational study of motorcycle and moped accidents in Spain between 2014 and 2020, both included.

RESULTS

The mortality of motorcycle accident riders in Spain is associated with males aged between 30 and 40 years old, with a high-power motorcycle, and an A or A1 driver's license, who is 6.7 times more likely to die in crossings and highways than a moped, while wearing a helmet, and if not, this increases to 4.89 times. During the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in death at 24 h after a high-power motorcycle accident was observed, as compared with a large reduction in the total medical assistance provided in 2019-2020.

CONCLUSIONS

High-power motorcycles had higher scores in mortality and morbity rates than low-power ones, with a significant increase in mortality during the pandemic, even though number of accidents and medical assistance provided were drastically reduced.