Investigation of the potential to enhance emergency response to motorcyclists involved in crashes.

Abstract

This first part of the report provides findings of detailed analyses of available population-based datasets in Victoria. It describes the epidemiology of motorcycle crashes and injured motorcyclists, their management in the Victorian State Trauma System, and the in-hospital and long term outcomes of injured motorcyclists. The data presented provide information about the incidence of motorcycle-related serious injury and death, the geographic location of crashes resulting in serious injury, the response times for pre-hospital services where these services were engaged, the injuries sustained, and factors predictive of response times and outcomes of injury in motorcyclists involved in crashes. Where relevant, changes over time are provided. The report also contains the findings of a literature review that was undertake to identify methods to improve the capability of first responders at motorcycle crash scenes and strategies to improve the speed of professional response, especially in rural and remote areas. The final part of the report presents the findings of a survey of motorcycle riders and consultations with relevant emergency and motorcycling groups that assessed levels of first aid knowledge among riders and solicited views about best strategies to improve emergency response to motorcyclists involved in crashes in Victoria.