Citation

Grand FJ. J. Traffic Med. 1980; 8(1): 2-6.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1980, International Association for Accident and Traffic Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Up till now, the number of children killed in tractor accidents in Denmark has remained unknown. In a retrospective analysis of the 5-year period 1973-1977, a total of 32 children was found on the basis of death certificates. Out of these, 23 were 'farmers' children'. 78% of the accidents took place in Jutland. 94 of the tractors were used for work processes at the fatal moment. The most frequent primary causes of accident were that children already on the ground were run down or that children on a vehicle fell off and were run over. The predominant primary course of accident was the human factor, 81% of the children being killed in situations which had been given the prior approval/acceptance by either the parents or by other adults. In 19% of the cases, it could be established that the supervision of the children had been insufficient. With this background, the possibilities of accident-preventing work should be good, but they presuppose an alteration of mentality among the parents and active information work. Consequently, statutory reporting to the Labour Supervision Authorities of all fatal tractor accidents should be introduced as soon as possible.