Does changing the configuration of a motor racing circuit make it safer?
OBJECTIVE
To assess the pattern of injuries presenting to a racing circuit medical centre in two three-year periods before and after two chicanes were built into the track.


METHODS
Medical centre records were used to identify all patients assessed during the two time periods. Those referred to hospital were categorised by injury severity into three groups.


RESULTS
The proportions of those attending the medical centre that were referred and admitted to hospital were the same in both periods (12-13% and 3% respectively). During the two study periods, the risk of a severe injury for a car driver decreased from 0.1% to 0.03% (p<0.05). For a motorcyclist, similar values were 0% and 0.2% (not significant).


CONCLUSIONS
Chicanes have improved the safety of the racing circuit for car drivers, reducing the risk of injury.
Leonard
L
L
Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath BA1 3NG, UK. lisa.Leonard@virgin.net
Lim
A
A
Chesser
T J S
TJ
Norton
S A
SA
Nolan
J P
JP
D000056:Accident Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001336:Automobiles; D004738:Engineering; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D009049:Motorcycles; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012449:Safety; D013177:Sports
Br J Sports Med. 1991 Sep;25(3):121-3
1777774
Injury. 1999 May;30(4):293-7
10476300