Road traffic injuries, their causes and prevention in Kaunas City during 1998-2002

During the last decade, the increase in the number of cars has resulted in the increase in the intensity and complexity of road traffic and, consequently, the increased number of road traffic accidents. During 1998-2002, 3679 people sustained injuries inroad traffic accidents, and 153 of these people died. 53.1% of people who sustained traumas during road traffic accidents were pedestrians, 27.0% - passengers, and 19.9% - drivers. Most traumas occurred in the age groups of young people aged 15-24 years and children aged up to 14 years. The majority of road traffic accidents occurred in fall and winter, in the afternoon and in the evening. Head traumas and bone fractures made up 54.6% of all traumas. The main causes of-road traffic traumas were the following: crossing the street in an unallowable place, disregard of road traffic regulation signals, going on the carriageway, careless behavior in the streets, and violation of the rules of the road by drivers.