Citation

Mason JK. J. Traffic Med. 1983; 11(1): 12-15.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1983, International Association for Accident and Traffic Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper considers the hazards of getting to and from one's destination; the subject of accidents occurring as part of a holiday is too broad for present consideration. The symposium is mainly concerned with travel abroad but, since one has to reach the definitive means of travel, the epidemiology of road traffic accidents is first considered. An unusually optimistic view is taken of the current position as regards fatalities. Emphasis is placed on the importance of recent legislation in the prevention of injury. Overall, the chances of being killed on the roads are now not much greater than those of suffering an accidental death in the home. The effect of alcohol and common drugs on the holiday motorist are discussed and mention is made of the hazards of carbon monoxide poisoning. Death and injury due to travel by boat or train is so unusual as to eliminate them from useful discussion and most interest probably centres on the accidental hazards of air travel. The major anomaly here is that, on a passenger-mile basis, the worldwide chances of being killed in an accident involving a scheduled air carrier are about the same as for travelling on British Rail. The relationship of aircraft accidents to fatalities is discussed and reasons advanced for the remarkable improvement in both. Potentially survivable accidents are commonest at take off and landing. It is in such accidents that the hazard of fire is of maximal importance though adequate restraint is also highly significant. Suggestions are made for increased safety. The wholly fatal accident is commonly associated with a catastrope in flight and some of the dangers of exposure to high altitude are considered. There is considerable public interest in sabotage as a cause of aircraft accident and its incidence is briefly considered. The overall message is that air travel is quite remarkably safe and that the unduly widespread fear of flying is related, in the main, to the publicity which inevitably surrounds the occasional disaster.