Moped riders in urban traffic can be seen as a special risk group because of their unprotected body in case of crash event, and low-power mopeds vary significantly in engine power when compared to high-powered two-wheelers.

Obligatory helmet wearing provides protection to the head from severe injuries, while all other parts of the body are exposed to injury, and a maximum speed of 25 km/h makes their injuries more frequent and severe.

Another important characteristic of this group is their age. They are mostly young riders whose psychological characteristics, combined with little or no driving or riding experience, is putting them in a vulnerable group. According to original police data regarding those crashes in Vienna, there is a slight decrease in the total number of recorded crashes over an eleven year observed period.

In response to this knowledge gap, secondary analysis is applied on original data using sophisticated multivariate techniques; factorial and regression analytical methods to define important indicators, factors and predictors that are significantly increasing the number of crash events involving this group.

Cluster analysis points to riders intoxicated with alcohol as the most dangerous ones. Six factors explaining total variance were extracted and used in regression analysis to define predictors that are undoubtedly influencing the number of crash events in Vienna.

The rresearch findings suggest the need for consideration of ‘probational extension’ of driving licence for older drivers due to an increase of felony behaviour that is causing more severe consequences, and there is space to question alcohol limit allowed for novice riders.

Radmila Magusic, Self employed Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Research & Development Consultant

Radmila Magusic is a self employed researcher whose curiosity, combined with critical thinking, drives her passion for analysing data in order to uncover new knowledge.

She has a BSc in Information Technologies and a MSc in Traffic and Transport Sciences, both awarded by Zagreb University in Croatia.