Traffic injury prevention
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Traffic injury prevention · Sep 2016
Effects of automated speed enforcement in Montgomery County, Maryland, on vehicle speeds, public opinion, and crashes.
In May 2007, Montgomery County, Maryland, implemented an automated speed enforcement program, with cameras allowed on residential streets with speed limits of 35 mph or lower and in school zones. In 2009, the state speed camera law increased the enforcement threshold from 11 to 12 mph over the speed limit and restricted school zone enforcement hours. In 2012, the county began using a corridor approach, in which cameras were periodically moved along the length of a roadway segment. The long-term effects of the speed camera program on travel speeds, public attitudes, and crashes were evaluated. ⋯ This study adds to the evidence that speed cameras can reduce speeding, which can lead to reductions in speeding-related crashes and crashes involving serious injuries or fatalities.
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Traffic injury prevention · Sep 2016
Functional outcomes of motor vehicle crash head injuries in pediatric and adult occupants.
The objective of the study was to develop a disability-based metric for motor vehicle crash (MVC) injuries, with a focus on head injuries, and compare the functional outcomes between the pediatric and adult populations. ⋯ At-risk populations such as pediatric and older adult patients possessed higher DRMAIS values for different head injuries. Disability in pediatric patients is critical due to loss of quality life years. Disability risk can supplement severity metrics to improve the ability of such metrics to discriminate the severity of different injuries that do not lead to death. Understanding of age-related differences in injury outcomes when compared to adults could inform future age-specific modifications to the AIS.
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Traffic injury prevention · Sep 2016
Changing threshold for AIS scores of thoracolumbar compression fractures.
The Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) is an anatomical-based coding system created by the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine, utilized to classify and code injuries resulting from trauma, in order of severity. According to the latest version, all Thoraco-Lumbar Compression Fractures (TLCF), even without injury to other spine components and with >20% loss of height, were branded AIS 3 injuries, reflecting a serious threat to life or permanent disability. Advances in spine imaging, recent biomechanical studies, and long-term outcomes research offer the opportunity to consider these injuries differently. ⋯ These results are consistent with evolving clinical thinking, resulting in decreasing surgical incidence and orthosis use. Our data strongly suggests that isolated compression fractures in the absence of neurologic deficit or severe cord compression due to retropulsed bone are self-limiting. Therefore, the AIS scores for these common injuries could be reconsidered and reflect their relatively benign outlook.
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With the increasing popularity of cycling generally and availability of new bicycle child carriers, there is an emerging interest in the safety of child bicycle passengers and riders. However, very little is known about the nature and extent of injuries to child bicycle riders and passengers. The aim of this study was to enhance our understanding of child safety in bike transportation and to identify injury patterns and outcomes. ⋯ • Analyses of injury data to understand the nature and extent of injuries to children on bikes as passengers and riders. • Child cyclist injuries as a significant safety issue within Victoria, Australia. • Young children aged 0-3 years experienced significantly more head injuries compared to older children.
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Traffic injury prevention · Sep 2016
Prehospital transportation decisions for patients sustaining major trauma in road traffic crashes in Sweden.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the proportion and characteristics of patients sustaining major trauma in road traffic crashes (RTCs) who could benefit from direct transportation to a trauma center (TC). ⋯ Our results show that the majority of RTC major trauma patients are transported to a non-TC. This may cause unnecessary morbidity and mortality. These findings can guide the development of improved prehospital treatment guidelines, protocols and decision support systems.