Fatal and Severe Injury Motor Vehicle Crashes Involving Air Force Personnel 1988-1999.

摘要

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death, and their malevolent predilection for the young is particularly daunting. The men and women of the United States Armed Forces are not spared from this cruelty, where vehicle crashes take more of their lives than any other cause, including combat training and battle injury. This study quantifies, for the first time, factors associated with motor vehicle crashes that left Air Force personnel permanently disabled or killed, It also compares select crash factors to those affecting the United States general population. This project found vehicle crash fatality among Air Force personnel consistently and significantly lower than - just fifty to sixty percent of - the United States general population from which they came Credit is given to the higher prevalence of safety belt use, and military service itself, Risk reduction opportunities were also evident, and include the commonly reported factors of alcohol impairment, speeding, misuse of occupant protection, and nighttime and weekend travel - particularly among youthful males, and especially when the latter were driving, Most intervention opportunities appear particularly vulnerable to three public health initiatives rightfully gaining popularity in the United States, These are lower blood alcohol limits, graduated driver licensing, and nighttime driving curfew, In light of this study, the Air Force, indeed the Armed Forces, must consider implementation of tailored versions of these initiatives to further reduce vehicle crash morbidity and mortality Other intervention opportunities not addressed by these initiatives are also presented for safety awareness.