ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

The social aspects of driving, and the evolution of motor vehicle design (including motorcycles) over the years are reviewed. The incidence of traffic accident casualties in the U.K. is noted. The failure of the fatality rate to rise in parallel with traffic increase can be attributed to medical care improvements, vehicle safety features, and roads which are more suitable for high-speed traffic. The collection of traffic accident data by the Department of Transport, and the difficulties in collecting information on accident victims treated in emergency rooms are discussed. Alcohol as a serious traffic safety problem in Britain is examined, and various countermeasures (special enforcement squads, publicity campaigns) are discussed. The kinematics of and forces exerted on unrestrained vehicle occupants during a collision are described. Various aspects of seat belt use are considered: types of restraints and their adjustment, effectiveness in injury prevention, and compulsory seat belt use laws. Motorcycle safety is addressed, with emphasis on the need for the training and education of young cyclists. The medical aspects of traffic accidents are discussed: emergency medical services (ambulances, hospital-and practitioner-based "flying squads"), patient management by emergency personnel, equipment for medical aid at accident site, primary care facilities, and long-term effects.

• Corporate Authors:

  Morgan-Grampian Limited

  30 Calderwood Street
  London SE18 6QH,   England 
• Authors:
  • Hall, M M
• Publication Date: 1979-6

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 754-764
• Serial:
  • Practitioner
  • Volume: 222
  • Issue Number: 3112
  • Publisher: Morgan-Grampian Limited

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Countermeasures; Data collection; Disasters and emergency operations; Diseases and medical conditions; Driver education; Driver training; Drunk driving; Fatalities; Hazards and emergency operations; Kinematics; Laws; Manual safety belts; Measures of effectiveness; Traffic crashes
• Uncontrolled Terms: Effectiveness
• Subject Areas: Law; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00390967
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-028 674
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Dec 30 1984 12:00AM