Moped passengers’ injuries climbing
17.05.2010The share of moped passengers of all people injured in traffic accidents has increased. In 2009, every sixth victim of a moped accident was a passenger, not the driver. According to a youth survey, every seventh young person could conceivably drive a moped also under the influence of alcohol.
Last year about 16 percent of those injured in moped accidents were, in fact, passengers, while the comparative figure for 2005 was around 7 %. This type of accident seems to be spreading especially amongst the girls.
According to the preliminary information from the police, there were, in total, 1,124 people injured in moped accidents and 11 fatalities in 2009. All the deceased were drivers. The number of injured moped drivers has grown more than 2.5-fold during the last ten years. In 2009, insurance companies compensated damages caused by about 4,000 moped drivers. The majority of the damages consisted of bodily injuries.
During May, there were dozens of moped events – targeting the youth – in different parts of the country. The events were a part of the ‘Turning heads’ communications initiative which features participation from the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Liikenneturva, Police, Finnish Transport Safety Agency Trafi and Finnish Motor Insurers’ Centre.