Abstract
Road traffic accidents, the leading cause of death in adolescents and young adults are being recognized as a growing public health problem in Jamaica. The study examines road traffic accident injuries and fatalities in Jamaica among road users, as well as by categories of fatalities, gender, motor-vehicle, time-of-day and location. In the period 2001 to 2005, the highest number of victims was between 20 – 29 years of age. Of the 1,856 road traffic accident victims from 2001 to 2005, the highest number occurred in 2002 (408), while the least in 2005 (326). There was a greater incidence of road traffic accidents during daytime between 0600h and 1800h (53.2%) and mainly on weekends (52.6%). Pedestrians were the most likely victims of road traffic accidents, thus accounted for 30.2% (667), followed by private motor car drivers 16.9% (374) and private motor car passengers 16.6% (368). The study concludes that road traffic injuries impacts on long and short-term wealth, affecting families and public health.
Highlights
Road traffic accidents are an emerging global epidemic
The data obtained from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) represent cases by categories of road traffic accident fatalities by gender, age, road users, motor-vehicles, time-of-day, location and outcome of accidents
This study shows that the various variables bear relationship with road traffic accidents in Jamaica
Summary
Road traffic accidents are an emerging global epidemic. Road traffic injuries are a major cause of death and disability globally, with a disproportionate number of occurrences in developing countries (Murray & Lopez, 1996). Other factors that contribute to the high rate of crashes in less developed countries include a high prevalence of old vehicles that often carry many more people than they are often designed to carry, lack of safety belt and helmet use, poor road design and maintenance and the traffic mix on roads are (Odero et al, 1997). This problem draws significant attention in Jamaica where road accidents are high and still increasing. In 1999, motor vehicle accidents represented the twelfth leading cause of deaths island-wide (National Road Safety Council of Jamaica, 2004)
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