The identification of ‘at-risk’ groups for transport-related

Abstract

Road traffic fatalities as a leading cause of non-natural deaths, pose an enormous threat to the public health care sector globally (Harruff, 1998; Forjuoh, 2003; Olukoga, 2003; Santamarina-Rubio, Perez, Ricart, Arroyo, Castella, & Borrell; 2007). Worldwide an estimated 1.18 million people died as a result of traffic related injuries in 2002 (WHO, 2003). The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) estimated costs of up to R632 million (6.12%) from R10.33 billion in 2005 to R10.96 billion in 2006. Contributory factors leading to fatal crashes include, excessive speeding, drinking and driving, failure to wear seatbelts and adhere to traffic signs (GRSP, 2004). Global burden of disease data estimates that, road traffic accidents will be ranked as the third leading cause of disease ahead of other diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV/Aids by the year 2020 (WHO, 2003).Following these observations we report on a study that aimed to determine particular at-risk groups for traffic related fatalities in four South African cities.