Risk of vehicle accidents among young drivers in the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara:2000-2010

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Motor-vehicle accidents are the first cause of accidental death in the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara (MAG), Mexico. The 16-24 age group represents a total of 1,307.882 persons and 33% of those affected by this type of accident. Certain factors increase young people’s exposure and vulnerability to suffering this type of accident. AIMS: Analyze the risk of suffering motor-vehicle accidents among 16-24 year-old people within the MAG during 2000-2010, considering the factors that increase such age group’s exposure and vulnerability. METHODS: Information on motor-vehicle accidents was obtained from the Highway Traffic Accident Statistics in Urban and Suburban Areas. Thirty young drivers from this age group with a history of traffic accident involvement during 2000-2010 were interviewed. Six exposure factors and eight vulnerability factors involved in suchtype of accidents were analyzed. RESULTS: Accidents involving young people increased, the rate of being involved in accidents in 2010 per 1000 young people was 21.67 and the mortality rate was 4.30 per 1000. The most affected by accidents was 20-year olds 51%. The interview respondents attributed the most frequent cause of accidents to other drivers 47%, reckless or rash behavior 33%, distractions while driving 30% and consuming alcohol 27%. The young respondents identified the following factors as those that expose them to accidents, in order of importance: driving after drinking alcohol 70%, driving at night or at dawn 60%, and the time they spent in automobiles (47% drove seven days a week). The factors that increased vulnerability to accidents were: driving in an altered sate, while mad or sad 83%. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals who are 20 years of age are the most affected age group with respect to accidents. The factors that increase exposure are driving under the influence of alcohol, driving at night or dawn and the time spent in automobiles. The factors that increase vulnerability are driving in altered states, sleepiness, driving without a license.