title: Differential patterns, trends and hotspots of road traffic injuries on different road networks in Vellore district, southern India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe spatial and temporal profiles of Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs) on different road networks in Vellore district of southern India.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the information in the police maintained First Information Reports (FIRs), daily time series of RTI counts were created and temporal characteristics were analysed with respect to the vehicle, road types and time of the day for the period January 2005 to May 2007. Daily incidence and trend of RTIs were estimated using a Poisson regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the reported 3262 RTIs, 52% had occurred on the National Highway (NH). The overall RTI rate on the NH was 8.8/100 000 vehicles per day with significantly higher pedestrian involvement. The mean numbers of RTIs were significantly higher on weekends. Thirteen percentage of all RTIs were associated with fatalities. Hotspots are major town junctions, and RTI rates differ over different stretches of the NH.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In India, FIRs form a valuable source of RTI information. Information on different vehicle profile, RTI patterns, and their spatial and temporal trends can be used by administrators to devise effective strategies for RTI prevention by concentrating on the high-risk areas, thereby optimising the use of available personnel and resources.
authors.affiliation: Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.
authors.forename: Venkata Raghava
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Mohan
authors.forename: Rajiv
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sarkar
authors.forename: Vinod Joseph
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.forename: Vinohar
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Balraj
authors.forename: Elena N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Naumova
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: First Information Reports; Inde; India; Poisson regression analysis; Puntos calientes; Vellore; analyse de régression de Poisson; análisis de regresión de Poisson; blessures de la circulation routière; hotspots; informes policiales First Information Reports; lesiones por accidentes de tráfico; premiers rapports d'information; road traffic injuries; zones sensibles