RTAS—Case fatality rate, crash injury rate and motor vehicles: Time trends between a developed and developing country

Abstract

Introduction: RTCs (road traffic collisions) are one of the most common preventable causes of death and disability worldwide, and a major public health problem in developing countries. We aim to investigate changes in numbers of motor vehicles, case fatality rate and crash injury rate over 10 years in the UK and Sri Lanka, and factors affecting this relationship. Method: We utilised audit of government records and patient directed questionnaires (ethical approval obtained in both countries). Factors, e.g. environmental causes, visual impairment, pedestrian factors, wearing seatbelts, speed of vehicles, whether fatigued at accident were investigated. Results were analysed using percentages and chi squared analysis. Results: We demonstrated numbers of motor vehicles have risen in both countries; crash injury rates rising in the UK whilst remaining stable in Sri Lanka and case fatality rate decreasing in both countries. 325 patients took part in the survey at the Sri Lankan end, with 83 at the UK end. Number of motor vehicles was higher in the UK yet the case fatality rate, but not crash injury rate was greater in Sri Lanka. Results including environmental causes, e.g. poor lighting were worse in Sri Lanka as was, visual impairment lack of seatbelt usage and speed of vehicles, which may contribute towards the higher case fatality rate. The majority of results were significantly different between the two countries. Discussion: We discuss how factors investigated may impact on differences in case fatality, crash injury rate and number of motor vehicles between the two countries and propose recommendations to reduce case fatality and crash injury rates, e.g. target ‘vulnerable’ groups, e.g. young males for risk prevention, adequate lighting of roads both within/outside city limits, reflective clothing to be worn by vulnerable road user groups, enforcement of seatbelt laws and regular eyesight checks. Keywords: Road traffic collisions; Epidemiology; Developing country; Developed country