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Minor Injury Crashes: Prevalence of Driver-Related Risk Factors and Outcome.
- Source :
-
Journal of Emergency Medicine (0736-4679) . May2017, Vol. 52 Issue 5, p632-638. 7p. - Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- <bold>Background: </bold>The majority of crashes cause "minor" injuries (i.e., treated and released from the emergency department [ED]). Minor injury crashes are poorly studied.<bold>Objectives: </bold>This study aims to determine the prevalence of driver-related risk factors and subsequent outcome in drivers involved in minor crashes.<bold>Methods: </bold>We interviewed a convenience sample of injured drivers, aged over 17 years, who were treated and released from the ED. Follow-up interviews were conducted 6 months after the crash.<bold>Results: </bold>We approached 123 injured drivers; baseline interviews were completed in 69 and follow-up interviews in 45. Prior to the index crash, 1.4% of drivers drank alcohol, 1.4% used illicit drugs, and 7.2% used sedating prescription medications. Nine drivers (13%) were distracted. In this sample, 5.8% met criteria for being aggressive drivers, 7.2% were risky drivers, and 11.6% drove while experiencing negative emotions. At 6-month follow-up, many drivers were still having health problems, 53.3% were not fully recovered, 46.7% had not returned to usual activities, and 28.9% were off work. Of the 42 participants who resumed driving, 16.7% had a near miss and 4.8% had another crash. Nine (21.4%) reported drinking and driving, and 9.5% reported driving after cannabis use. Cell phone use (16.7%) and use of other electronics while driving (23.8%) were also common.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Driver-related risk factors are common in drivers involved in minor injury crashes, and drivers persist in taking risks after being involved in a crash. Despite their name, minor injury crashes are often associated with slow recovery and prolonged absenteeism from work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *CRASH injuries
*TRAFFIC accidents
*HOSPITAL emergency services
*AUTOMOBILE drivers' injuries
*DRUG prescribing
*DRUNK driving
*COMPLICATIONS of alcoholism
*PSYCHOLOGY of alcoholism
*SUBSTANCE abuse & psychology
*TRAFFIC accidents -- Psychological aspects
*WOUND & injury classification
*AGGRESSION (Psychology)
*ALCOHOLISM
*SUBSTANCE abuse
*DISEASE prevalence
*DISEASE complications
*PSYCHOLOGICAL factors
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 07364679
- Volume :
- 52
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Emergency Medicine (0736-4679)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 122968901
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2017.01.044