18 April 2012
Study Shows Decline in Paediatric Road Fatalities
Leading Temple Street Consultant Highlights Road Safety Message
The overall incidence of road-related fatalities and injuries among children in Ireland is on the decline, according to a study carried out by Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority of Ireland.
The aim of the study was to assess road-related injuries in under-15 year olds over two five year timeframes from 1996-2000 and 2004-2008. The findings include all road and traffic collisions occurring on public roads and requiring police assistance during these timeframes.
When results were compared between the two time periods, there was a 36% decrease in the total number of children injured or killed on Irish roads from 5928 to 3659.
The most significant decrease was reported in the cycling injuries category. Child cyclist fatalities fell by 76% and there was a 68% reduction in cyclist injuries. In contrast to previous years, none of the cycling fatalities occurred among children under the age of 10. There were only two confirmed cases of helmet usage, both of whom suffered minor injuries.
Professor Alf Nicholson, consultant paediatrician and RCSI professor of paediatrics at Temple Street, says “The findings are hugely positive and there is no doubt that policy changes and concerted publicity campaigns in the intervening period have had a significant impact. It is vital that this safety message continues, however, with an emphasis on use of bicycle helmets and proper child restraints.”
The study found that car passenger fatalities among children fell by 38% from 69 to 44, the majority of whom were travelling in the rear passenger seat. However, a large number of children continue to travel in the front car seat. In both cohorts, documented restraint was less than 70%.
There were 1232 child pedestrian injuries from 2004-2008, accounting for 34% of the total injury toll. 32 of these injuries were fatal (2%), 129 were serious injuries (10%) and 1071 suffered minor injuries (88%). When the two time periods were compared, pedestrian fatalities had fallen by 48% and serious injuries had decreased by half.
Research MethodologyAll road and traffic collisions requiring police assistance occurring on public roads in Ireland in two separate time periods spanning five years (1996-2000 and 2004-2008) were included in this study.
As per protocol, collision details are recorded by the attending police officer on the CT [68] form. This form collects information on severity of the collision, road user category, contributing factors such as road factors, vehicle factors, environmental factors and also what safety precautions were in place at the time of the collision (such as seatbelt use, bicycle helmet use and pedestrian data such as arm band wearing).
The information was then entered into an SPSS 1 database and collision trends were analysed and reviewed by the Research Section of the Road and Safety Authority of Ireland.
Injuries were sub-classified as fatalities, serious [those admitted to hospital, fractures, severe head injuries, severe internal injuries or shock requiring treatment] and minor.
From this database information was sought pertaining to those children and adolescents aged fifteen years and younger. The results were then compared from 2004-2008 versus 1996-2000. The study also explored policy changes, publicity campaigns and legislation changes in the intervening period.
Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street
Established in 1872, Temple Street Children’s University Hospital is a national facility that provides paediatric care to children from all over Ireland. Each year, over 130,000 sick children are cared for in Temple Street, of which one-third of inpatients come from outside Dublin. The Accident and Emergency Department caters for almost 50,000 children annually, making it one of the busiest A&E facilities in Europe.
Major specialities at Children’s University Hospital include Neonatal and Paediatric Surgery, Nephrology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Craniofacial surgery, Orthopaedic, ENT and Plastic Surgery.
The research can downloaded here
For further information, please contact:
Mo Durkan, CUH Temple Street
Tel: +353 1 8784200 / + 353 87 9908413
E: mo.durkan@cuh.ie
Nikki Latchford, Pembroke Communications
Tel: 01 6496428 / 086 1026811
E: nikki@pembrokecomms.ie