ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS RELATED TO ROAD TRAFFIC CRASHES

Abstract

Objectives. Road accidents are a global public health problem and the third leading cause of death worldwide. According to international statistics, there are multiple factors that contribute to road accidents, including environmental factors that are among the most important. The aim of this review was to determine the association between environmental factors and road injuries among population. Materials and methods. In total, 24 articles were selected using the Google Scholar and PubMed databases for analysis in the study, selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data from the selected articles were classified; evaluated and synthesized though the main environmental factors which may lead to road accidents. Results. According to the revised studies, the first 3 major factors were highlighted to be: the human factor and its behavior, the environmental factors and road condition, and the factors conditioned by the vehicle. Environmental factors can contribute differently to the occurrence of road accidents, taking into account the time of day/year, the street lighting, the weather, the road infrastructure and the condition of the road surface. Compliance with traffic rules and adapting speed, in different environmental conditions, plays an enormous role in preventing road injuries. Conclusion. Identifying environmental risk factors, related to road traffic deaths, could help policymakers to adopt effective strategies and approaches for the prevention and control of road injuries, and to the development of cross-sectoral prevention measures for road safety.