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Motor Vehicle Collisions and Their Demographics: A 5-Year Retrospective Study of the Hamilton-Wentworth Niagara Region

NCJ Number
223400
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 53 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2008 Pages: 709-715
Author(s)
Carolyne E. Lemieux B.H.Sc.; John R. Fernandes M.D.C.M.; Chitra Rao M.B.B.S.
Date Published
May 2008
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This retrospective study examined population demographics for motor-vehicle collision (MVC) fatalities over a 5-year period (January 1999-December 2004) in the Hamilton-Wentworth Niagra region of Canada (n=321).
Abstract
Victims ranged in age from fetal to 94 years old, with an average age of 38. Males composed 71.7 percent of the victims, with females being overrepresented among victims 79 years old and older. Driver fatalities were most common (45.2 percent), followed by pedestrian fatalities (21.8 percent). Passengers composed 16.5 percent of the victims and bicyclists 5 percent. Common injury sites were head or torso and combinations of head and torso; head, torso, and limb; and head, spine, torso, and limb. Toxicology screens were positive in approximately one-third of the study population. Isolated ethanol and ethanol in combination with cannabis were the most frequent substances found. Head-on, stationary object, and side-swipe collisions were frequent. Fatalities occurred most often in the fall, perhaps reflecting seasonal trends of student populations attending university or college within Hamilton. Most collisions occurred during the early morning and late evening. Most fatal collisions occurred between Thursday evening and Sunday evening, which correlates with social behavior patterns that involve ethanol consumption. Harm-reduction strategies must target human behavioral and ethanol/cannabis and driving patterns. Study data were obtained from the official records of forensic pathologists (autopsies), police, and toxicology analyses. 64 references