A study in the BMJ Open Journal presents the findings of Georgetown University researchers seeking to quantify and describe the risk of fatal pedestrian crashes among persons using wheelchairs in the U.S.

Analyzing data between 2006 and 2012, the study found that the mortality rate for pedestrians using wheelchairs was 2.07/100,000 person-years (95 percent CI 1.60 to 2.54), which is 36 percent higher than the overall population pedestrian mortality rate. Men's risk was over fivefold higher than women's. Compared to the overall population, persons aged 50–64 using wheelchairs had a 38 percent increased risk, while men who use wheelchairs aged 50–64 had a 75 percent increased risk over men of the same age in the overall population.

The study found that almost half of fatal crashes occurred in intersections and 38.7 percent of these intersection crashes occurred at locations without traffic control devices. Among intersection crashes, 47.5 percent involved wheelchair users in a crosswalk; no crosswalk was available for 18.3 percent (95 percent CI 13.5 to 24.4). Driver failure to yield right-of-way was noted in 21.4 percent of crashes, and no crash avoidance manoeuvers were detected in 76.4 percent of the crashes.

The study concludes that persons who use wheelchairs experience substantial pedestrian mortality disparities, which calls for both behavioral and built environment interventions

The study concludes that persons who use wheelchairs experience substantial pedestrian mortality disparities, which calls for both behavioral and built environment interventions.