Road traffic accident mortality in Singapore.
The aim of this study was to identify factors that contribute to road traffic accident mortality and the patterns of injuries sustained by these victims, with a view to identifying areas for future intervention. All road traffic accident deaths that occurred in Singapore over a period of 1 year were reviewed. A total of 226 deaths occurred: 82.3% of the victims were male. The median age was 31 years. Blood alcohol was detected in 42 (18.7%) victims. In general, head (86.7%), followed by thoracic (67.7%) and abdominal (31.4%) injuries, were the most common injuries. Severe lower extremity trauma was most common among pedestrians and pedal cyclists (20.6% and 11.0%, respectively). The mean Injury Severity Score was 38.7. The relative risk of mortality between motorcyclists and motorcar drivers was 18.8:1. Suggestions for future prevention and intervention include stricter enforcement of speed limits, more severe penalties for drunk driving, helmet use among pedal cyclists, and the introduction of pre-hospital advanced airway management.
Wong
Evelyn
E
Department of Emergency Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
Leong
Mark K F
MK
Anantharaman
Venkataraman
V
Raman
Lata
L
Wee
Keng Poh
KP
Chao
Tzee Cheng
TC
D015998:Abbreviated Injury Scale; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000145:classification / Q000401:mortality* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D001642:Bicycling / Q000293:injuries / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D002648:Child; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009049:Motorcycles / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011482:Protective Devices; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality*