THE NEED TO DISCONTINUE THE USE OF THE TERM "ACCIDENT" WHEN REFERRING TO UNINTENTIONAL INJURY EVENTS

Inconsistencies in the common usage of the words "accident" and "injury" are examined. The practical difficulties in applying some commonly accepted definitions are illustrated. It is shown how common notions of "accident" are not supported by the facts and are counterproductive to preventive measures. It is argued that the phrase "injury control" provides a more comprehensive perspective of the problem than the phrase "accident prevention", but its use also has disadvantages. It is concluded that health professionals should discontinue using the term "accident" and associated phrases, when referring to unintentional injury events.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00014575
• Corporate Authors:

  Pergamon Press, Incorporated

  Headington Hill Hall
  Oxford OX30BW,    
• Authors:
  • Langley, J D
• Publication Date: 1988-2

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 1-8
• Serial:
  • Accident Analysis & Prevention
  • Volume: 20
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0001-4575
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00014575

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crashes; Definitions; Injuries
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00601343
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-040 627
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Nov 30 1990 12:00AM