Alcohol/Illicit Substance Use in Fatal Motorcycle Crashes.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the current study is to determine how alcohol and illicit substance use contributes to motorcycle crash fatalities by examining the relationship between toxicology levels found postmortem and the behavior of riders and passengers in fatal motorcycle crashes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All motorcycle fatalities in Miami-Dade County, FL, from 2009 to 2014 were reviewed using the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's toxicology reports and the corresponding crash reports. RESULTS: Positive alcohol/illicit substance detection was found in 44% of our population of 227 fatalities. When compared with those with a negative alcohol/illicit substance detection, those with a positive alcohol/illicit substance detection were more likely to be found at fault of the crash (77% versus 50%, P < 0.001), more likely to be in a single-vehicle crash (47% versus 21%, P < 0.001) and less likely to wear a helmet (44% versus 64%, P = 0.002). However, there was no significant relationship between speeding and alcohol/illicit substance detection (29% versus 33%, P = 0.748). In addition, a regression analysis demonstrated that there was less helmet use and more single-vehicle crashes with higher blood alcohol concentration. CONCLUSIONS: In fatal motorcycle crashes, alcohol and illicit substance use had a significantly negative impact on the risk aversion of motorcycle fatalities in regard to fault, helmet use, and single-vehicle crashes.

Redefining Preventable Death-Potentially Survivable Motorcycle Scene Fatalities as a New Frontier.

BACKGROUND: The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine defined a roadmap to achieve zero preventable trauma deaths. In the United States, there are over 5000 motorcycle fatalities annually. Florida leads the nation in annual motorcycle crash (MCC) deaths and injuries. It is unknown how many are potentially preventable. We hypothesize that certain patterns of injuries in on-scene fatalities that are potentially survivable and aim to make recommendations to achieve the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine objective. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Miami-Dade County medical examiner reports of MCC deaths pronounced on scene, and emergency medical service or law enforcement reports from 2010 to 2012 were reviewed by board-certified trauma surgeons. Causes of death were categorized into exsanguination, traumatic brain injury or decapitation, crushed chest, or airway complications. Determination of potentially survivable versus nonsurvivable injuries was based upon whether the riders had potentially survivable injuries and had they been transported immediately to a trauma center. Traumatic brain injury cases were reviewed by a board-certified neurosurgeon. RESULTS: Sixty MCC scene deaths were analyzed. Ninety-five percent were men, 55% were helmeted, and 42% had positive toxicology. The median Injury Severity Score was 41 (Range 14-75, IQR 31-75). Nineteen (32%) deaths were potentially survivable, with death due to airway in 14 (23%) and exsanguination in 4 (7%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: One-third of on-scene urban motorcycle deaths are potentially survivable in a young patient population. ISS score comparison demonstrates the lower injury burden in those deemed potentially survivable. Automatic alert systems in motorcycles and first responder training to police are recommended to improve trauma system efficacy in reducing preventable deaths from MCCs.