TY - JOUR
T1 - Differences in urban and rural accident characteristics and medical service utilization for traffic fatalities in less-motorized societies
AU - Li, Ming Der
AU - Doong, Ji Liang
AU - Chang, Kai Kuo
AU - Lu, Tsung Hsueh
AU - Jeng, Ming Chang
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was funded by a research grant from the Institute of Transportation, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, R.O.C. The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and are not necessarily shared by the Institute of Transportation, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, R.O.C. Ming–Der Li , M.D., completed this work as a doctoral candidate at the National Central University. Ji–Liang Doong , Ph.D., is a senior scientist. He currently leads Virtual Reality Laboratory and conduct interdisciplinary research activities in the area of road safety. Kai–Kuo Chang , Ph.D., is a research specialist and he conduct studies in the area of motor vehicle injury focusing on heterogeneous databases applications. Tsung–Hsueh Lu , Ph.D., M.P.H., is an epidemiologist. He currently conducts several studies in the area of motor vehicle injury focusing on inequality in health. Ming–Chang Jeng , Ph.D., is a senior scientist and currently leads a Research Center for Traffic Accident Authentication.
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - Introduction: Fatalities from traffic accidents in less-motorized societies are an important global issue. We aimed to characterize the geographic differences of fatalities in such societies to facilitate the development of targeted interventions. Method: This study linked police reports, hospital data, and vital registration data from Taiwan with special reference to accident factors in pre-hospital deaths and medical care in hospital deaths. Results: A higher percentage of pre-hospital deaths were observed following rural as compared to urban traffic accidents. The deaths due to rural accidents can be attributed to lower use of restraints (i.e., helmets or seat belts), lower percentage of motorcyclists, and more highway accidents. A higher percentage of victims in rural accidents were transported to distant medical centers rather than to local hospitals. Conclusion: Specific interventions, such as intelligent emergency medical systems, campaigns for helmets and seat belt usage, enforcement of helmets and seat belt use, and speed control measures should be targeted to rural areas. Impact on industry: Cooperation between the vehicle industry and emergency medical providers in rural traffic accident rescue teams may decrease the numbers of deaths in these regions.
AB - Introduction: Fatalities from traffic accidents in less-motorized societies are an important global issue. We aimed to characterize the geographic differences of fatalities in such societies to facilitate the development of targeted interventions. Method: This study linked police reports, hospital data, and vital registration data from Taiwan with special reference to accident factors in pre-hospital deaths and medical care in hospital deaths. Results: A higher percentage of pre-hospital deaths were observed following rural as compared to urban traffic accidents. The deaths due to rural accidents can be attributed to lower use of restraints (i.e., helmets or seat belts), lower percentage of motorcyclists, and more highway accidents. A higher percentage of victims in rural accidents were transported to distant medical centers rather than to local hospitals. Conclusion: Specific interventions, such as intelligent emergency medical systems, campaigns for helmets and seat belt usage, enforcement of helmets and seat belt use, and speed control measures should be targeted to rural areas. Impact on industry: Cooperation between the vehicle industry and emergency medical providers in rural traffic accident rescue teams may decrease the numbers of deaths in these regions.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jsr.2008.10.008
DO - 10.1016/j.jsr.2008.10.008
M3 - Article
C2 - 19064048
AN - SCOPUS:57149142492
SN - 0022-4375
VL - 39
SP - 623
EP - 630
JO - Journal of Safety Research
JF - Journal of Safety Research
IS - 6
ER -
