Traffic injury prevention
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Traffic injury prevention · Jan 2018
The ability of the ICD-AIS map to identify seriously injured patients in road traffic accidents-A study from Finland.
In Finland, the severity of road traffic injuries is determined using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Finnish Modification (ICD-10-FM) injury codes from Finnish Hospital Discharge data and the automatic conversion tool (ICD-AIS map) developed by the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of the ICD-AIS map to identify seriously injured patients due to traffic accidents in Finnish injury data by comparing the severity rating generated by an expert and by the ICD-AIS map. ⋯ For this sample of simplified ICD-10-FM codes, the ICD-AIS map underestimated the number of seriously injured patients. The mapping result could be improved if at least open and closed fractures of extremities and visceral contusions and ruptures had separate codes. In addition, there were a few injury codes that should be considered for inclusion in the map.
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Traffic injury prevention · Jan 2018
Near-miss crashes and other predictors of motorcycle crashes: Findings from a population-based survey.
Crash and injury surveillance studies have identified a range of rider-related factors, including age, sex, licensure, training and experience, as being associated with motorcycle crash risk. The aim of this study was to establish whether these previously identified factors were associated with crash involvement in an Australian-based population. ⋯ These findings provide important population-level information and insights about risk exposure for motorcyclists. Taking a more tailored approach to data collection meant that factors associated with crash involvement were identified that are not commonly observed in studies relying on administrative data. In particular, the study highlights the importance of near-crash experiences as warnings to riders and the need to use such experiences as learning opportunities to improve their riding style and safety.
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Traffic injury prevention · Jan 2018
Driving behaviors associated with emergency service vehicle crashes in the U.S. fire service.
Emergency service vehicle incidents are a leading cause of firefighter fatalities and are also hazardous to civilian road users. Modifiable driving behaviors may be associated with emergency service vehicle incidents. The goal of this study was to use telematics to identify driving behaviors associated with crashes in the fire service. ⋯ Harsh braking and excessive speeding were driving behaviors most associated with crash in the fire service. Telematics may be a useful tool for monitoring driver safety in the fire service.
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Traffic injury prevention · Jan 2018
The prevalence and correlates of texting while driving among a population-based sample of Ontario students.
Texting while driving (TWD) has a deleterious impact on driving performance and may pose a significant challenge to traffic safety. This challenge may be particularly relevant for young and inexperienced drivers. This study examined the prevalence and risk factors of writing text messages or emails while driving during the past 12 months. ⋯ This research demonstrates that TWD is an extremely common behavior among licensed student drivers in Ontario, particularly among those who have passed the first stage of graduated licensing. TWD is associated with other risky driving behaviors and outcomes, and the findings from this study underscore the need to better understand the harms associated with this behavior.
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Traffic injury prevention · Jan 2018
Comparative StudyComparing fracture patterns of younger versus older riders involved in nonfatal motorcycle accidents.
The motorcyclist demographic is shifting to a larger proportion of riders over the age of 40. We sought to identify differences in orthopedic injury distribution and severity between 3 age cohorts and identify independent factors that contribute to fractures following a motorcycle collision (MCC). ⋯ Elderly patients sustained fractures more frequently. There was no difference between age groups with respect to injury severity. Mechanism of collision may have more influence than age with respect to fracture type and location. Further research is warranted to develop a more widely generalizable characterization of motorcycle collision injury patterns, risk factors, and patient characteristics.