Road traffic accident mortality in Singapore

J Emerg Med. 2002 Feb;22(2):139-46. doi: 10.1016/s0736-4679(01)00455-3.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify factors that contribute to road traffic accident mortality and the patterns of injuries sustained by these victims, with a view to identifying areas for future intervention. All road traffic accident deaths that occurred in Singapore over a period of 1 year were reviewed. A total of 226 deaths occurred: 82.3% of the victims were male. The median age was 31 years. Blood alcohol was detected in 42 (18.7%) victims. In general, head (86.7%), followed by thoracic (67.7%) and abdominal (31.4%) injuries, were the most common injuries. Severe lower extremity trauma was most common among pedestrians and pedal cyclists (20.6% and 11.0%, respectively). The mean Injury Severity Score was 38.7. The relative risk of mortality between motorcyclists and motorcar drivers was 18.8:1. Suggestions for future prevention and intervention include stricter enforcement of speed limits, more severe penalties for drunk driving, helmet use among pedal cyclists, and the introduction of pre-hospital advanced airway management.

MeSH terms

  • Abbreviated Injury Scale
  • Accidents, Traffic / classification
  • Accidents, Traffic / mortality*
  • Accidents, Traffic / statistics & numerical data
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alcohol Drinking / adverse effects
  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology
  • Bicycling / injuries
  • Bicycling / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Child
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / mortality
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motorcycles / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Protective Devices
  • Singapore / epidemiology
  • Trauma Severity Indices
  • Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology
  • Wounds and Injuries / mortality*