Epidemiology of Road Traffic Accidents in Trinidad and Tobago

Title: Epidemiology of road traffic accidents in Trinidad and Tobago

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EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

ABSTRACT

Injuries are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. It is estimated that over five million deaths each year are attributable to injuries worldwide, accounting for some 12% of the global burden of disease. Road traffic Injuries also represents a large burden to the healthcare system and society. Due to a wide range of social and environmental factors, injuries are seen to particularly affect low and middle income countries. In Trinidad and Tobago, deaths due to external causes represent the fourth leading cause of mortality, of which motor vehicle traffic accidents accounts to 23.9%. Road safety, in particular striders safety, is a predicament in Trinidad and Tobago. According to the information attributed from the traffic and highway patrol unit database of Trinidad and Tobago police services records, road traffic hurdle in these areas is a key urban crisis. Four urban areas accounted for approximately three-quarters of reported road traffic crashes, fatalities and injuries. In which the Pedestrians, passengers and drivers accounted for 93% of fatalities and 95% of injuries due to road traffic crashes. According to the current statistics conducted in 2000, it clearly depicts that striders are the most commonly affected by road traffic accidents in which the data confirmed that pedestrians alone accounted for 42% of fatalities and 34% of injuries. Trends over time show that there has been a decline in fatality rates by 7%, despite rapid motorization. In conclusion, effort should be intensified to ensure safety for all road users and, in particular, pedestrians, passengers and drivers. . (Black Diaspora Communication. 1996).

The main purpose of this study therefore, is to identify the key principal of road traffic accidents. The study endeavors to determine the common category of road users affected most, find out the impacts of the accidents to the residents, examine efforts of the government on road traffic accidents management, and identify solutions to the epidemiology associated with road traffic accidents. The data required for the study will be collected using questionnaires, interview schedules, observation and information from the police database. The significance of the study is to find out innovative and sustainable solutions of on how such an increasing population could limit the number of road traffic accidents over the increased motorization and attain ways of improving the existing control strategies.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

1.1.1 Global outlook

Road traffic accidents constitute a public health challenge worldwide. This problem has been compounded by the rapid urbanization, rural-urban migration and urban poverty. The United Nations projects that the world's urban population will increase by seventy million people annually by 2020. Road traffic accident management is in a crisis in many of the world's largest urban areas as the population attracted to the cities continues to grow especially in informal settlements. This has led to ever increasing cases of epidemiology road traffic accidents. The situation should be taken care of to prevent million of people from attaining permanent injuries such as disability and not forgetting death. (United States Bureau of the Census, 1984).

1.1.2 National outlook

In Trinidad and Tobago, the laws that govern the safety of passengers and traffic rules that govern both motorists and pedestrians are mandatory, but these laws are hardly enforced. An alternative approach is required which will involve redefining relationships between motorists, pedestrians, traffic police forces and health administrators and develop an integrated strategy to handle and manage road traffic accidents. A Road traffic accident is indeed a major public health problem in Trinidad and Tobago and it offers several challenges like permanent brain damage, physical disabilities and even death. In Trinidad and Tobago, there has been an increase in the number of road traffic accidents in the country, with the associated injuries and fatalities. In many of these road traffic accidents, most of the drivers and passengers involved as casualties and fatalities were reported of not adhering to the safety measures that are available. Absolute respect to the control measures and safety condition has been shown to result in significant reductions in the number and severity of injuries, and the occurrence of fatalities in the event that a road traffic accident occurs. (West India Committee. 2000).

1.2 Problem statement

There is a serious problem in management of road traffic accidents in Trinidad and Tobago. In this study, epidemiology of road traffic accidents refer to all kinds of injuries and fatalities associated with road accidents. Efficient epidemiology of road traffic accident management is hampered by ignorance and negligence to safety control measures and traffic rules by the road users. It is therefore necessary for a proper and sustainable strategy that will address the present situation and provide a lasting solution to all the road users living and working in Trinidad and Tobago.

1.3 Research objectives

1. To identify the frequency and predictors of seat belt use by motor vehicle drivers in the country.

2. To determine the pattern of mobile phone use by drivers in Trinidad and Tobago

3. To examine efforts of the administration in road safety policy implementation

4. To find out the most affected category of the road users in road traffic accidents

1.4 Research questions

1. What are the results of not using safety belts?

2. What are the consequences of phone use by drivers?

3. What are the trends in road traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities?

4. What are the direct economic burden of road crashes and injuries