Accident; analysis and prevention
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While there are almost 1,000 bicyclist deaths in the United States every year, there has been little formal analysis of the fatal risk patterns of bicyclists. In large part, this is because there has been little information available on riding exposure. ⋯ The results suggest substantially higher fatality risks for males, for bicyclists over the age of 44, and for bicyclists who ride after dark. Discussion of the results includes implications regarding differences in the fatal and nonfatal injury risks associated with bicycle use.
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Comparative Study
A five-year experience with severe injuries in elderly patients.
Recent reports of injury in elderly patients document that aggressive care is justified. Our experience indicates that geriatric injury differs from that of other trauma patients. All patients entered into a large urban trauma center registry over a five-year period were analyzed. ⋯ Infections and chest complications were twice as common in the elderly and dysrhythmias were five times more frequent. Elderly patients constitute 8% of the trauma population and suffer a magnitude of injury at least comparable to the general population. Their mortality is approximately 50% above the population as a whole and morbidity twice as common, accounting for the prolonged hospital stay.
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At the end of April 1987, Illinois raised the speed limit from 55 to 65 mph on rural interstates and limited-access highways. This paper examines the effects of this change. It applies ARIMA techniques to a monthly time series of accidents, injuries, and fatalities dating from five years before the limit increase to four years after. ⋯ The findings suggest the higher limit led to 300 additional accidents per month in rural Illinois, with associated increases in deaths and injuries. This impact was apparent on both 65 and 55 mph roads. There is some evidence of traffic diversion from 55 to 65 mph highways plus traffic generation and speed spillover.