Rural and urban fatal pedestrian crashes among United States American Indians and Alaskan Natives

Annu Proc Assoc Adv Automot Med. 2003:47:127-43.

Abstract

The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and the Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) were used to compare fatal pedestrian crashes in American Indians and Alaskan Natives (AI/AN) between urban and rural locations for 2000-2001. There were significant differences between urban and rural crashes for driver, pedestrian, environmental, and engineering factors. Rural pedestrian crashes more often occurred on highways (p<0.0001) lacking traffic control devices (p<0.0001) and artificial lighting (p<0.0001). Alcohol was a significant cofactor in both environments (40% urban vs. 55% rural; p=0.0239). Prevention of AI/AN deaths should include engineering countermeasures specific to the needs of rural (lighting) and urban (medians with barriers) environments and address drinking behavior in both populations.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic / mortality*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Alaska / ethnology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Indians, North American / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Population Groups / statistics & numerical data*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Rural Population / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sex Distribution
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data*