Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #121690

Laurie F. Beck, MPH, Ann Dellinger, PhD, and Mary E. O'Neil, MPH. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, MS K63, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-4327, LBECK@CDC.GOV

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the relative risks of injury from different forms of transportation based on exposure to travel mode. Population-based statistics do not account for differences in the distribution of travel modes within the population and do not capture the true population at risk. Methods: Injury and fatality rates were calculated per 100 million person trips and by mode of travel (personal vehicle, motorcycle, walk, bicycle, school bus, other bus). Annualized rates were based on five years of data (1999-2003). Data sources were the General Estimates System, a representative sample of non-fatal traffic injuries; Fatality Analysis Reporting System, a census of fatal traffic injuries; and the 2001 National Household Travel Survey, a survey of travel characteristics. Results: Injury and fatality rates vary by mode of travel. Per 100 million person trips, fatality rates were lowest for bus travel (school bus rate: 0.1; other bus rate: 0.7) and personal vehicle travel (rate: 9.2). Fatality rates were highest for pedestrians (rate: 13.7), bicyclists (rate: 20.9), and motorcyclists (rate: 549.0). Non-fatal injury rates followed a similar pattern with the exception of pedestrians and personal vehicle occupants, who had the third and fourth lowest rates of non-fatal injury, respectively. Conclusions: Rates that are based on exposure (e.g., travel mode) provide a better assessment of the risks faced by different road users. Per trip, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists face the highest levels of risk. Measures to protect these vulnerable road users should be adopted as appropriate.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

• Recognize the importance of accurately defining the true population at risk (ie, population exposed) when calculating rates.
• Identify fatal and non-fatal injury rates for different types of road users.
• Identify which types of road users face the highest risks for fatal and non-fatal injury.

Keywords: Motor Vehicles, Injury Risk

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation