Epidemiology of Road Traffic Trauma in China--1998 in Retrospect

The 1998 epidemiological data on road traffic trauma (RTT) in China were collected, analyzed, and compared with data from 1997. The data were gathered from the Traffic Administration Bureau and literature, then analyzed and discussed. The following results are reported: (1) The amount of road traffic accidents (RTA), fatalities, and injuries were 346,129, 78,067, and 22,272, an increase of 13.78%, 5.69%, and 17.14%, respectively, compared to 1997. (2) Among the causes of RTA, human factors accounted for 92.8%, motor vehicle drivers 84.3%; mechanical 4.1%, and road conditions 0.1%. (3) With respect to fatalities and injuries, pedestrians accounted for 26.1% and 13.1%, bicyclists 17.4% and 13.3%, motorcyclists 15.4% and 19.2%, respectively. (4) Ages of the fatalities included <9 years old 6.1% and >65 years old 7.8%. The safety of these age groups should receive more attention. (5) The amount of RTAs and fatalities in mixed roads accounted for 55.9% and 67.2%. These outcomes indicate a need for focus on comprehensive treatment of RTA and RTT. In conclusion, RTA and RTT have continuously increased in China. The main reasons are lack of good traffic administration and lax enforcement of traffic regulations. If these two areas can be strengthened, traffic safety will be greatly improved.

Keywords:

• Epidemiology
• Road Traffic Trauma
• Traffic Safety