抄録
In recent years, electric powered wheelchair accidents have increased. This paper will display the characteristics reported in an accident of this nature taken place in Gifu Pref. The characteristics identified are as followed: ・ Elder persons over 75 years of age were the operators of the electric powered wheelchairs in 70% of the accidents. ・ Many of the accidents occurred in intersections or neighborhoods. ・ The person riding the electric powered wheelchair was usually not visible to the driver of the passenger car before the collision occurred and therefore making it unavoidable. ・ Passenger cars were involved in 70% of the total electric powered wheelchair accidents. ・ The person operating the electric powered wheelchair was deemed at fault for 2/3 of the accidents. These factors are observed in all electric powered wheelchair accidents therefore the government and parties concerned with traffic administration must promote a more safe education to reduce such accidents. After all, this is an important policy as a traffic safety measure to increase the awareness of those in less fortunate circumstances such as the electric powered wheelchair operators.
