Abstract
ObjectiveCorrelation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted to estimate the influence of meteorological factors on road traffic injuries stratified by severity. Crash rate was defined as mean monthly road traffic accidents per 1,000 vectors.DesignEcological time-series study.SettingMacao traffic accident registry database between January 1st, 2001 and November 31st, 2016.ParticipantsIn total, 393,176 traffic accidents and 72,501 cases of road traffic injuries (RTIs) were enrolled; patients’ severity was divided into mild injury, required hospitalisation, and death.ExposureVariation of monthly meteorological factors.Main outcome measureWeather-condition-related road traffic accidents, injuries, and deaths.ResultsWindy weather significantly correlated with increased number of traffic accidents among all transport vectors (r = .375 to .637; p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression showed temperature (B = 0.704; p < 0.05) and humidity (B = − 0.537; p < 0.001) were independent factors for mild injury. The role of windy weather was relatively more obvious among patients with severe injuries (B = 0.304; p < 0.001) or those who died (B = 0.015; p < 0.001). A longer duration of sunshine was also associated to RTI-related deaths (B = 0.015; p < 0.001). In total, 13.4% of RTIs were attributable to meteorological factors and may be preventable.ConclusionThe World Health Organization stated that RTIs are a major but neglected public health challenge. This study demonstrates meteorological factors have significant effects on any degree of RTIs. The results may not be generalized to other climates or populations while the findings may have implications in both preventing injuries and to announce safety precautions regarding trauma and motor vehicle collisions to the general public by public agencies.
Highlights
Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are becoming a major problem for public health systems worldwide due to their unpredictability (Gao et al, 2016; Zhang et al, 2015)
These data are verified and published monthly by the Statistics and Census Service of the Macao government. This public database classifies the severity of RTIs into the following three categories: ‘‘mild injury’’, ‘‘required hospitalisation’’, and ‘‘death’’
Our results indicated that 13.4% of RTIs can be explained by meteorological factors, of which weather conditions had the greatest influence on required hospitalization RTIs (R2 = 24.5%); in mildly injured patients and those who were deceased, the importance of these factors was less obvious, with only 8.8% and 6.9% of such accidents ascribed to meteorological factors, respectively
Summary
Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are becoming a major problem for public health systems worldwide due to their unpredictability (Gao et al, 2016; Zhang et al, 2015). Low- and middle-income countries account for approximately 90% of global RTIs (Alam & Mahal, 2016; Gao et al, 2016; Rusli et al, 2017; Xie et al, 2016; Zhang et al, 2015; Zhang et al, 2011). In China, which has rapidly urbanised and is classified as a middle-income country by the WHO, the number of reported road traffic deaths is the highest in the world (National Bureau of Statistics of China, 2012; WHO, 2015a; Xie et al, 2016; Zhang et al, 2015). This study investigated the relationship between meteorological factors and the severity of RTIs
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
