Factors associated with single-vehicle and multi-vehicle road traffic collision injuries in Ireland

Abstract

Generalised linear regression models were used to identify factors associated with fatal/serious road traffic collision injuries for single- and multi-vehicle collisions. Single-vehicle collisions and multi-vehicle collisions occurring during the hours of darkness or on a wet road surface had reduced likelihood of a fatal/serious injury. Single-vehicle ‘driver with passengers’ collisions occurring at junctions or on a hill/gradient were less likely to result in a fatal/serious injury. Multi-vehicle rear-end/angle collisions had reduced likelihood of a fatal/serious injury. Single-vehicle ‘driver only’ collisions and multi-vehicle collisions occurring on a public/bank holiday or on a hill/gradient were more likely to result in a fatal/serious injury. Single-vehicle collisions involving male drivers had increased likelihood of a fatal/serious injury and single-vehicle ‘driver with passengers’ collisions involving drivers under the age of 25 years also had increased likelihood of a fatal/serious injury. Findings can enlighten decision-makers to circumstances leading to fatal/serious injuries.

Keywords:

• Bayesian
• logistic regression
• binomial regression
• single-vehicle collisions
• multi-vehicle collisions

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Road Safety Authority for providing the road collision data and the Irish Health Research Board for funding this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Note

Notes

1. Hours of darkness is defined as 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this research was provided by the Irish Health Research Board [grant number HSR/2008/6].