Children continue to be at risk of serious injury or death by not being restrained in motor vehicles, according to new statistics released today by the Queensland Trauma Registry (QTR).
The Registry is part of the Centre of National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation Medicine at The University of Queensland.
Based on QTR figures, nearly one in three children admitted to hospital due to motor vehicle accidents, in the 12 months to June 30 last year,were not in a baby capsule or wearing a seat belt in the crash, Registry Manager and Senior Research Fellow, Dr Leanne Aitken said.
The QTR figures reflect the number of children admitted for 24 hours or more to any of the State’s major or regional hospitals. The Registry has released the figures to coincide with World Road Trauma Day on April 7, when the World Health Organisation has called for a focus on how to reduce road deaths.
During the 2002-2003 year, QTR recorded 346 children as having been admitted to hospital for the treatment of injury sustained through road traffic accidents. Nine of these children died during their hospitalisation, with the majority dying after being a passenger in a motor vehicle.
Dr Aitken said other data showed that pedestrian road safety and bicycle helmets were also key issues.
“Road safety for child pedestrians remains an issue — and not just on the streets. Three children died after being struck by motor vehicles and a third of the injuries occurred when children were struck by a vehicle at home,” she said.
The statistics also indicated that approximately a quarter of the children who had an accident while cycling were not wearing a helmet. One child died due to a bicycle accident. One in five injuries to child cyclists occurred in a collision with a motor vehicle or motor bike.
Boys aged between 13 and 15 were most likely to be involved in a road traffic accident requiring hospitalization. The weekend and Monday are the most dangerous days of the week for children on the roads, accounting for most hospital admissions.
The Queensland Trauma Registry, established in January, 1998 is funded by the Motor Accident Insurance Commission and Queensland Health. It routinely collects and analyses data on patients admitted to any of 15 Queensland hospitals for more than 24 hours for the treatment of serious injury. Data collected includes demographic data, circumstances, type and severity of the injury, acute treatment and hospital outcomes. This information is used to describe the extent of serious injury throughout the state, establish benchmarks for trauma related care, facilitate clinical review and conduct research to reduce future incidence and burden of injury and improve trauma management and outcomes.
Media: For more information, please contact UQ Health Sciences Faculty Communications Officer Marlene McKendry at 3346 4713 or 0401 996 847.
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