ANALYSIS OF CIRCUMSTANCES AND INJURIES IN 217 PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC FATALITIES

We performed a retrospective analysis of 217 pedestrian traffic fatali ties in Seattle, WA, U.S.A. that occurred over a six-year period using medical examiner records with essentially all of the deaths examined by autopsy. The annual pedestrian fatality rate for the county average d 2.0/100,000 for all ages and both sexes, and the age-specific rate v aried from 1.0/100,000 for the 22-34 year age group to 1.5/100,000 for children under seven years and 7.0/100,000 for ages 70 years and olde r. Males had a 50% higher rate than females. Fatal accidents were most common during December and January and during the evening hours. Wedn esday had the greatest number of accidents leading to death, 79% highe r than the Saturday weekend rate. Of those tested, 24% had ethanol in their blood. 66% of the fatal injuries occurred on city or residential streets, and 29% occurred on major thoroughfares. A single urban high way accounted for 12% of pedestrian fatalities and represented a parti cularly hazardous traffic environment. Fatal head injuries and severe chest injuries were present in 73% of cases; injuries involving multip le sites were present in 60%. There were few significant differences i n the extent of injuries with respect to vehicle speed or type of vehi cle. Head injuries were much less common in the oldest age group, prob ably because elderly pedestrians were more vulnerable to death from le ss severe trunk and extremity injuries. Severe chest injury was the mo st important predictor of death occurring at the scene. (C) 1998 Elsev ier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.