Geographical variations of motor-vehicle injuries in Quebec, 1983-1988

Data furnished by the Régie de l'Assurance Automobile du Québec (RAAQ) were used to describe the geography of motor vehicle accidents in the province of Quebec for the period 1983-1988. These were also used to evaluate the risk factors associated with zones of high risk with regards to accidents for the 97 Municipalités Régionales de Comté (MRC). The results demonstrate that non-severe accidents are more frequent in the urban context. On the other hand, severe accidents are more frequent in the rural context. The Standard Morbidity Ratio (SMR) highlights those MRC's with the risk of severe or non-severe accidents, where risks are twice that of Quebec as a whole. The demographic characteristics (age, sex) of the driver and passengers and the place of the accident (region, density) were used in the model LOGIT to evaluate risk factors associated with high risk zones. Results of the model for those severely injured are different from those for non-severely injured people. This holds true for the location of accidents as well as for demographic characteristics. In both models, women and people over 65 years of age are low-risk groups for accidents. The authors indicate certain action to be undertaken in Quebec by the Government to improve this situation.