Traffic injury prevention
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To assess the blood alcohol concentration (BAC; dependent variable) of patients with road traffic injuries (RTIs) presenting at 3 provincial and central hospitals in the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam by age, sex, and road user type (independent variables). This survey formed part of the Viet Nam Road Traffic Injury Prevention Project, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies. ⋯ The results of this preliminary study indicate that 29.1 percent of all car drivers and motorcycle riders presenting at hospitals with RTIs exceeded the legal BAC limit for operating a motor vehicle. Though further study is required, this is suggestive that strengthening the enforcement of drink-driving laws is an urgent national road safety priority.
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Traffic injury prevention · Jan 2013
Comparative StudyFifteen-passenger vans and other transportation options: a comparison of driver, vehicle, and crash characteristics.
Fifteen-passenger vans (15-PVs) are a convenient and economical way to transport small groups of people and many educational, community, and health organizations utilize them. Given recent tragic crashes involving 15-PVs, many organizations are reconsidering their use. The goal of this study was to examine driver, vehicle, and crash characteristics of fatal 15-PV collisions over the past 2 decades in comparison to 3 other common vehicle classes. ⋯ Drivers need to be aware that as occupancy rates of the vehicles they drive rise so does the risk of rollover and fatalities, especially among minivans and 15-PVs. Organizations transporting groups need to balance cost and safety management by selecting vehicle types and drivers with acute awareness of the risks involved.
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Traffic injury prevention · Jan 2013
Truck drivers' opinion on road safety in Tanzania--a questionnaire study.
Even though the traffic fatality risk (fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants) in Tanzania is quite low, the fatality rate (fatalities per 10,000 vehicles) is one of the highest in the world. With increasing vehicle density this means that the number of people dying in traffic will increase dramatically in the near future. Therefore, it is important to implement measures to increase traffic safety as soon as possible, and in order to be able to do this in an efficient way, it is important to investigate where the main problems lie. ⋯ The results indicate that countermeasures should be implemented in an integrated fashion, taking into account aspects such as driver, vehicle, infrastructure, legislature, and other road users.
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Traffic injury prevention · Jan 2013
Scooter crashes at university: intervention tactics for modified behavior and helmet use.
Mopeds and scooters are defined as 2-wheeled vehicles with engine displacement ranging from 49 to 250 cm(3). These vehicles have experienced a resurgence in modern culture and are especially popular on large university campuses. Increased operation of mopeds and scooters has been a contributor to increased accidents and in some cases fatalities. Available statistics indicate that a majority of individuals involved in scooter crashes were not wearing helmets. The objective of this study was to explore perceptions of helmets and the significance of behavioral intention related to attitude toward helmet use among operators of these potentially dangerous motor vehicles. ⋯ University students who operated scooters were principally untrained in safe operation measures and in many cases ignored traffic laws. Though perceptions of helmets as a safety device were significant, they were viewed as uncomfortable, most often among female operators. Key psychological indicators of attitudes toward helmet use were perceived norms and control in making choices. The best course of action is messages that (1) introduces modern features that make helmets more user adaptable to comfort; (2) promote a positive outcome through users' motivation to comply to norms (i.e., parental influence); and (3) encourage the perceived empowerment that emanates from control in decision making.
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Traffic injury prevention · Jan 2013
Child and youth traffic-related injuries: use of a trauma registry to identify priorities for prevention in the United Arab Emirates.
Traffic-related injuries are the main cause of death during childhood and youth in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), use of safety restraints by citizens is uncommon, rollovers are frequent, and current legislation does not protect rear-seat occupants. Because little was known about the circumstances of hospitalizations for traffic injuries to guide prevention, a trauma registry was used to assess causes and determinants for traffic-related injuries during childhood and youth (<19 years) and its value for prevention. ⋯ Male drivers and vulnerable road users were at an unusually high risk relative to females. A relatively high frequency of traffic-related head injuries among UAE children and youth, including rear-seat passengers and other vehicle occupants, suggests that considerable preventable morbidity is associated with nonuse of safety restraints and/or other factors such as excess speed and rollovers of 4-wheel drive vehicles. Trauma registries can be useful for prevention; inclusion of data on safety restraints and helmet use by road user type is essential.