Citation

Conner KA, Smith GA. J. Saf. Res. 2014; 51: 23-31.

Affiliation

Center for Injury Research and Policy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA; The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Columbus, OH, USA; Child Injury Prevention Alliance, Columbus, OH, USA. Electronic address: gary.smith@nationwidechildrens.org.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, U.S. National Safety Council, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jsr.2014.08.003

PMID

25453173

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study describes the medical and financial impact (hospital charges) of aggressive driving-related injuries in Ohio.

METHODS: Statewide crash and hospital databases were probabilistically linked for 2004 through 2009. Descriptive analyses and multivariate regression modeling of multiply-imputed data on motor vehicle occupants involved in aggressive driving-related crashes were performed.

RESULTS: There were 821,136 motor vehicle occupants involved in aggressive driving-related crashes in Ohio from 2004 through 2009; injuries were sustained by 15.0%. The rate of aggressive driving-related crashes was highest among drivers ages 16 to 19years (3787.1 crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers). Aggressive driving-related inpatients accrued more than $250.8 million in hospital charges and 28,366 inpatient days of treatment in 2004 through 2009. Occupants ages 16 to 19years had higher odds of sustaining injury when involved in aggressive driving-related crashes (OR=1.10; 95% CI=1.07, 1.12; p<0.001), but lower odds of death, inpatient admission, ISS≥16, and rehabilitation.

DISCUSSION: Aggressive driving-related injuries have a substantial medical and financial impact in Ohio. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Compared with other highway safety issues, prevention efforts aimed specifically at aggressive driving are lacking. Targeted enforcement and public awareness campaigns are needed.

Language: en