Citation

Tolonen J, Santavirta S, Kiviluoto O. J. Traffic Med. 1983; 11(1): 16-21.

Copyright

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

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

A study was made of 2,645 victims of fatal traffic accidents from the files of the National Boards of Traffic Accident Investigation of the insurance companies in Finland. The study found that fatal traffic accidents are to a large extent a problem of the younger age groups (16 to 25 years), and cause extensive human and economic loss. Head, chest, and cervical injuries are the leading cause of death. The automotive industry should develop head and neck supporting seats as a standard feature. Safety helmets would also be useful in automobiles. Improved resuscitation education for mobile first-aid personnel would be of benefit. The general use of safety belts seems to be the easiest method of radically reducing the number of road traffic deaths. Safety belts should be used in vans and trucks as well as automobiles. They should also be used in rear seats. Childrens safety belts should be obligatory. Safety belts should be technically refined for comfort and there should be tax reductions for vehicles equipped with safety devices. More effective measures to reduce driving after consumption of alcohol should be implemented.

Keywords

Ethanol impaired driving