Citation

Sjogren H, Bjornstig U. Proc. Assoc. Adv. Automot. Med. Annu. Conf. 1990; 34: 41-55.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

All aged 60 or over (297 persons), injured (all causes) in the traffic environment, and treated as in- and out-patients at the Regional Hospital in Umea, over a one-year period, were analyzed. Injuries were grouped into three main categories: fall injuries (52%), vehicle-associated injuries (44%), and "other" injuries (4%). Two thirds of the fall injuries involved slipping on ice and snow. The main groups in the vehicle-associated injury category were cyclists (48%), car occupants (34%), other vehicle occupants (14%), and pedestrians (4%). Vehicle-associated injuries became more common with advancing age, resulted in the most severe and critical (MAIS ≥4) injuries and the most fatalities, and cost (total and mean) more than fall injuries. In conclusion, from the injury cost point of view, it is most important to prevent vehicle-associated injuries. However, when total frequencies are considered, fall injuries deserve to be given just as much priority in injury prevention programs as vehicle-associated injuries, to make the traffic environment safer for this growing population.