Factors affecting the severity of work related traffic crashes in drivers receiving a worker's compensation claim.
OBJECTIVE
To examine factors that contribute to the severity of work related crashes in New South Wales, Australia.


METHODS
Workers' Compensation data was linked to police crash records for the period 1998-2002. Multivariate analysis was carried out to assess the relationship between relevant risk factors and the severity of injury (permanent disability or death) in drivers who had received a claim for a work related crash.


RESULTS
Age, gender, occupation, duty status, vehicle type, licence status, fatigue, speeding and location of the crash were independently associated with the severity of the crash. Drivers aged 65 years and older were nearly twice (OR: 1.824, 95% CI: 1.106-3.007) as likely to be permanently injured or die as a result of a work related crash compared to the younger age group (15-24 years old). The risk to older drivers was even higher in crashes occurring while on duty. Drivers involved in traffic crashes while commuting were more likely to be severely injured (OR: 1.28, CI: 1.15-1.42) than those on duty. Compared to car drivers, taxi drivers were more than twice (OR: 2.38, CI: 1.726-3.296) as likely to be severely injured.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings contribute to bridging the gap in knowledge in the area of work related crashes and highlight the higher risk of permanent disability and death in older drivers, taxi drivers and commuters.
Boufous
Soufiane
S
The George Institute for International Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia. sboufous@george.org.au
Williamson
Ann
A
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D014942:Workers' Compensation; D055815:Young Adult