When it comes to life threatening danger, the riskiest activity in which most of us regularly participate is driving or riding in a vehicle. However, because we do it so often, we have become almost completely desensitized to the real risk that it represents. Driving requires constant vigilance and so it is usually when we are not quite focused on the task that we will be rapidly reintroduced to its dangers. It is then when we get that unexpected shot of adrenaline as we narrowly avoid rear-ending the vehicle in front of us, if we are lucky.
In the US, there are more than 40,000 automobile fatalities annually, or 1 person dying roughly every 12 minutes. Tragically, approximately one out of every 260 people will die of an automobile accident. Of the fatalities, more than 50% occur with the victim not wearing a seat belt and 40% of the fatalities involve alcohol. While the number of people dying from automobile collisions is decreasing in countries like the US, Canada and the UK, these numbers show that so many of the deaths are still preventable.
Although these numbers are significant, in low and middle-income countries, the situation is far worse and worsening. Examining the impact in terms of dollars, the estimate is that traffic accidents cost more than $60 billion to developing countries that receive roughly only half that amount in foreign aid. A study in Bangladesh concluded that 70% of families that lost a family member in a road accident faced a reduction in income and ability to purchase food.
Looking at the more human side of the equation, in the US only 1 in 150 automobile accidents will result in death, but in developing countries 3 in 10 accidents cause death. A representative of the World Health Organization even stated that traffic accidents kill more people worldwide than malaria. Though fatalities are usually the number most quoted, it is also important to mention the 20 to 50 million people who are injured in these accidents, some of them severely so and also permanently disabled. These numbers continue to become worse and in 10 years it is expected that automobile accidents will be the third leading cause of death and disability worldwide.
In a crash, many possible injuries may occur. Most (60%) involve damage to joints and bones as victims are thrown about or receiving crushing blows. Roughly 10% involve brain trauma and another 10% involve vision. In fact, in one study from Spain, 50 to 70% of all serious brain injury was the result of automobile accidents. Similarly, more than 50% of all spinal cord injuries were also caused by such accidents. Those who experience damage to their brain, spinal cord or to their eyes may never make a full recovery and can face a lifetime of disability.
Other injuries besides bruises and scrapes are those experienced in the internal organs. Broken ribs are common and this can lead to a punctured lung and the possibility of internal bleeding. In more severe cases, when multiple ribs break on one side, flail chest may occur. The condition is the result of whole side of the chest becoming detached from the ribs and being able to move freely. This causes bruising of the lungs that can prevent the lungs from effectively transferring oxygen into the blood and can result in suffocation.
Another possibility of organ damage is to the spleen and in cases where the spleen ruptures, there is a real risk of severe internal bleeding as the lower area of the tummy can fill with blood. Another organ at risk of rupture, although a lower risk, is the bladder. When the bladder ruptures, there is a possibility of infection of the tissues surrounding the organs and such infections are fatal roughly 10% of the time. This is in of itself a good reason to hit the restroom before getting behind the wheel of the car.
Continuing to move lower down, damage to the pelvis is also more and more common with roughly 1 in 4 accident victims having such injuries. Pelvic damage can also result in internal bleeding and based on an report published in the Journal of Trauma, almost 20% of those who experience pelvic injuries will die.
Now, there is no secret to cutting down the risk of death and injury in automobile accidents. Being alert is a very important factor and that means not driving when tired. Driving at lower speeds reduces the risks of injury by 3% for every kilometer per hour or 5% for every mile per hour reduction. Wearing a seat belt reduces the risks of injury and death by 40% to 65%. Even the seemingly insignificant cage of a Smart Car can do much to save your life assuming you are still in the car because your seat belt was on. Lastly, if you want to be really safe, avoid any alcohol when driving is required. At the legal limit in most states, the risk of accident is still 80% greater than for those not consuming alcohol at all.
Related Links:
http://www.dot.gov/affairs/dot5307.htm
http://www.nsc.org/research/odds.aspx
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-003-x/2008003/article/10648-eng.htm
http://www.factbook.net/EGRF_Summary.htm
http://www.grsproadsafety.org/themes/default/pdfs/Estimating%20crash%20costs.pdf
http://www.mtw.gov.jm/whti/presentations/road_traffic_injuries.ppt
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/324/7346/1139
http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog/MURGLO.html
http://www.who.int/features/2004/road_safety/en/
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/324/7346/1116/DC1
http://www.etsc.eu/documents/Social%20and%20economic%20consequences%20of%20road%20traffic%20injury%20in%20Europe.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flail_chest
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2627451
http://journals.lww.com/jtrauma/Abstract/2006/07000/Risk_Factors_Associated_with_Pelvic_Fractures.4.aspx
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/324/7346/1119
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