[Increasing Number of Road Traffic Fatalities in Germany - Turnaround or Snap-Shot].
Introduction:For the first time since 20 years, the number of road accident fatalities in 2011 increased on German roads compared to earlier periods.Methods and Results:The presented paper submitted by the expert group for accident prevention investigates and discusses possible reasons for the observed increase in road traffic fatalities.Results:Climate changes as well as changes in economic environment, and technological progress in car and passenger safety are identified as possible reasons for the observed increase.Discussion:Mentioning the "Decade of Action for Road Safety" initiated by the UNO and coordinated by the WHO, the overall goal is a worldwide reduction of accident related road fatalities. But prognostic calculations predict an asymptotic approximation to a limit of road fatalities. To achieve a reduction by half until 2020 intense collaboration and disproportional expenditure are necessary.Conclusion:From the authors' point of view the current increase of traffic fatalities in Germany is rated as a snapshot rather than a turnaround.
Klinik für Unfallchirurgie mit Unfallforschung, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Deutschland.
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S
Brand
AUC, Akademie Fortbildung DGU, München, Deutschland.
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U
Schmucker
AG Prävention DGU, DGOU, München, Deutschland.
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G
Lob
Orthopädie, Endo-Klinik Hamburg, Deutschland.
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C
Haasper
Klinik für Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Deutschland.
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C
Juhra
Institut für Rechtsmedizin, LMU München, Medizinische Fakultät, Deutschland.
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W
Hell
Abteilung Systems und Technologie, Continental AG, Frankfurt, Deutschland.
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P
Rieth
Rettungsstelle, Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, Deutschland.
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G
Matthes
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000639:trends*; D002423:Cause of Death / Q000639:trends*; D002980:Climate; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D018986:Motor Vehicles / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014887:Weather; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000401:mortality*