Off-road vehicle accident incidence increases

January 01, 0001

Off-road vehicle accident incidence increases

The aim of this study by researchers from Sydney, Australia was to describe changes in the incidence of hospitalised injury for New South Wales residents involved in non-traffic crashes for the period 1 July 1998 to 30 June 2007. They identified 37,480 NSW residents admitted to hospitals for injuries resulting from non-traffic crashes.

The annual rate of hospitalisation for injury showed a significant increase of 0.7% per annum for NSW residents involved in non-traffic crashes over 10 years. Annual hospitalisation rates for serious injuries increased by 2.2%. The hospitalised injury rate for motorcyclists and pedal cyclists increased significantly by 3.3% per annum and 3.7%, respectively, but the rate declined significantly for car occupants and pedestrians by - 8.3% per annum and - 2.2% respectively.

The researchers concluded: "The rate of hospitalisation for injury from non-traffic crashes increased significantly over time for NSW residents from 1998-99 to 2007-08, especially for serious injuries and injuries to motorcyclists and pedal cyclists. These findings call for continuing and specific effort to prevent road non-traffic injuries."

Non-traffic crashes is an interesting and important concept, i.e. those occurring in areas other than a public roadway, and involving off-road cars, pushbikes, motorcycles, tractors, etc. Safety rules and protective measures may be beneficial.

For the full abstract, click here.

MJA 193(4):223-226 16 August 2010 © The Medical Journal of Australia 2010
Trends in the incidence of hospitalisation for injuries resulting from non-traffic crashes in New South Wales, July 1998 to June 2007. Shanley Chong, Wei Du and Julie Hatfield. Correspondence to Julie Hatfield: [email protected]

Category: Z. Social Problems. Keywords: non-traffic, crashes, hospitalisation, incidence, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Stephen Wilkinson, Melbourne, Australia. Posted on Global Family Doctor 3 September 2010

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

COVID-19 Resources

WONCA webinars, journal links and more

WONCA position statements

WONCA statements on a variety of issues

PEARLS

577 Individual behavioural counselling helps people to quit smoking 575 Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements may be beneficial in age-related macular degeneration 574 Oral antifungals effective for toenail onychomycosis 570 Decision aids beneficial for people facing health treatment or screening decisions 569 Computer-generated reminders on paper benefit quality of care