Survival risk factors for fatal injured car and motorcycle drivers in single alcohol-related and alcohol-unrelated vehicle crashes

IntroductionA high percentage of drivers who die as a result of a single vehicle crash are under the influence of alcohol. We aimed to better understand the prevalence of these fatalities and the ratio of death to injuries based on various risk factors. We focused on alcohol-related and -unrelated single-vehicle crashes to investigate the influence of such risk factors on the time until death for car and motorcycle drivers.MethodsWe combined data from national police reports and a vital registration database in Taiwan. Survival analysis using Cox regression models was used to identify the risk factors of time until death.ResultsOverall, nearly 60% of car driver fatalities and 40% of motorcycle driver fatalities involved the consumption of alcohol. Survival analysis of single-vehicle crashes suggested that the traffic island separation between a car moving at a higher speed and motorcycle traffic resulted in a higher risk of death over time for motorcycle drivers who consumed alcohol. The factors attributed to a higher risk of death over time for motorcycle drivers were older age, crashing into trees, night-time driving, driving on curved roads, and driving on local roads. Driving without restraints and driving on roads with higher speed limits attributed to a higher risk of death over time for car drivers.ConclusionsThe factors that influence the risk of death over time in a motor-vehicle accident involving alcohol depended on different elements, which should each be considered when attempting to reduce this risk.Impact on IndustryMore efforts should be made to investigate the various risk factors in areas with large motorcycle populations.

Research Highlights
► Nearly 60% of killed car drivers and 40% of killed motorcycle drivers were under the influence of alcohol.
► The traffic island separation between a car moving at higher speed and motorcycle traffic resulted in a higher risk of death over time for motorcycle drivers who consumed alcohol.
► Higher risk of death over time for motorcycle drivers were older age, unrestrained, crashing into trees, night-time driving, driving on curved roads, driving roads with higher speed limits and on local roads.