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Alcohol intoxication in non-motorised road trauma
Biswadev Mitra1,2,3, Kate E Charters1,2, John C Spencer1
1Emergency and Trauma Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Emergency Medicine Australasia : EMA
|October 5, 2016
Summary
Intoxication is common among non-motorized road users involved in crashes, with 15.9% presenting to hospital intoxicated. Routine testing is needed to understand the full impact and improve road safety.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Traumatology
- Road Safety Research
Background:
- Non-motorised road users (pedestrians, cyclists) are vulnerable road users.
- Alcohol intoxication is a known risk factor for road traffic crashes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of alcohol intoxication among non-motorised road users presenting to a major trauma centre after a crash.
- To identify characteristics of intoxicated non-motorised road users.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study using data from the Alfred Trauma Registry (July 2009-June 2014).
- Inclusion of non-motorised road users (pedestrians, pedal-cyclists, etc.) involved in road traffic crashes with available blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
- Intoxication defined as BAC ≥0.05 g/100 mL.
Main Results:
- 1323 patients were analyzed; 15.9% were intoxicated (BAC ≥0.05 g/100 mL).
- Pedestrians had a higher intoxication rate (24.7%) compared to pedal cyclists (7.3%).
- Intoxicated patients were younger, more likely male, and presented after hours/holidays.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol intoxication is prevalent among non-motorised road users involved in crashes.
- Current public awareness programs have not reduced the proportion of intoxicated users.
- Routine intoxication testing and penalties for non-motorised road users should be considered to enhance road safety.
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