Environmental factors associated with crash-related mortality and injury among taxi drivers in New South Wales, Australia

Abstract

This exploratory study aims to investigate the associations between some environmental factors and the increased risk of motor vehicle crash-related injuries among taxi drivers. Information utilised in the study are obtained from police reports of all road traffic accidents that occurred on the roads between 1996 and 2000 in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Of the 7923 taxi drivers who involved in crashes, nearly 10% ( n=750) were killed or injured. Results indicate sex, and two environmental factors are significantly associated with an increased risk of crash-related mortality and injury among taxi drivers. The adjusted relative risk of crash-related mortality and injury is increased by 60% for those who work the night shift (OR=1.59, 95%CI=1.35–1.88), and by 20% for those who do not carry any passenger on board (OR=1.20, 95%CI=1.02–1.41) should these drivers involve in a crash. The increased relative risk of crash-related mortality and injury is nearly 2.5 times for female taxi drivers (OR=2.30, 95%CI=1.45–3.65) when compared with their male counterparts.