The Association of Helmet Use with the Occurrence of Maxillofacial Injuries Following Bicycle or Scooter Accidents: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Work-related road traffic accidents: emergence of new modes of personal journey - analysis based on data from a register of road traffic accidents in France

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-motorised (nm) and motorised (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 accidents 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 accidents.

RESULTS

We identified 11 296 individuals aged 18-70 years who experienced work-related road accidents. An injury report was provided for a total of 11 277 patients. A total of 546 passengers and 78 drivers of other motorised vehicles (buses/trams, construction equipment and tractors) were excluded from the analysis. Seven patients died at the time of the accident and seven died after hospitalisation. 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 motorised two wheelers (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 accidents occurred during commuting (95.6%). 65% of the scooter accidents and 50% of other PMD accidents did not have opponents. Overall, one-quarter of the victims experienced accidents 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

This original study on work-related road accidents allowed us to characterise the increase in work-related road accidents associated with new modes of travel, particularly scooters. The results observed for users of scooters and other PMDs in this study were generally consistent with those found in the scientific literature. Despite limited data, the results suggest that accidents involving scooters or other PMDs are of low severity.

CONCLUSION

Many head injuries could be prevented with more widespread use of helmets, among scooter and other PMD users and bicycle users.

Which sports have a higher risk of maxillofacial injuries?

OBJECTIVES

Sports etiology is one of the most common causes of maxillofacial injuries. This work aimed to provide an up-to-date review of sports-related maxillofacial injuries.

METHODS

An updated review was conducted on Pubmed and Google Scholar. No publication year and language restrictions were applied. Two different search strategies were performed, the first addressed which sports, generally associated with maxillofacial injuries, and the second search was conducted to determine the frequency of maxillofacial injuries associated with each sport individually.

RESULTS

The first search returned 26 articles distributed across different sports, from different countries, and with varied age distribution. The second search displayed 85 articles on individual sports group. Papers were rated and categorized according by the sport associated to the reported injury. A useful sports risk scale for maxillofacial injuries has been developed. Peculiar themes from all participating sports were evaluated. The use of protective equipment and other preventive measures were highlighted.

CONCLUSIONS

Some sports with ball and cycling can be considered riskier sports for maxillofacial injuries. Athlete education and the mandatory use of mouthguards, helmets, and eye protection, among other things, are crucial to prevent these injuries. Tailor-made mouthguards and protective masks, which are becoming cheaper, are in vogue. The Sports-related Maxillofacial Injuries Risk scale can be useful for athletes, athletic coaches, and maxillofacial surgeons.