Hyeok-Jin Jeon1, Sang-Chul Kim2, Jaeho Shin3, Jae-Yoon Jung4, Kang-Hyun Lee5, Hee-Young Lee6, Ho-Jung Kim7. 1. a Department of Emergency Medical Technology , Choonhae College of Health Sciences , Ungchon-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan , South Korea. 2. b Department of Emergency Medicine , Chungbuk National University Hospital , Cheongju-si , Chungcheongbuk-do , South Korea. 3. c School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering , Gyeongsan-si , Gyeongsangbuk-do , South Korea. 4. d Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering , Yongin-si , Gyeonggi-do , South Korea. 5. e Department of Emergency Medicine , Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital , Wonju-si , Gangwon-do , South Korea. 6. f Department of Emergency Medicine , Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital , Wonju-si , Gangwon-do , South Korea. 7. g Department of Emergency Medicine , Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine Bucheon Hospital , Bucheon-si , Gyeonggi-do , South Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Truck vehicles (TVs) have a different structure and stiffness than non-TVs and are used commercially for transporting goods. This study aimed to analyze whether truck occupants have a greater risk of serious injury than those of other types of vehicles. METHODS: Crash data were obtained from the Korean In-Depth Data Analysis Study (KIDAS) for calendar years 2011-2016. Vehicles involved in frontal crash were included and classified into TVs and non-TVs (passenger cars and sports utility vehicles). We compared the demographic characteristics and serious injuries by body region between the 2 groups and analyzed factors that contributed to the serious injury severity from frontal crashes. RESULTS: The analysis was based on 884 occupants; 177 (20.0%) were in TVs and 707 (80.0%) were in non-TVs. Non-TVs had more frontal airbags deployments than TVs (50.9% vs. 3.4%, P <.01). TV occupants were 4.8 times more likely to have a serious lower extremity (LE) injury (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.820; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.407-9.653) and 2.5 times to have a serious abdominal injury (AOR = 2.465; 95% CI, 1.108-5.487) compared to non-TV occupants. CONCLUSIONS: Truck occupants had more serious LE and abdominal injuries than those of other types of vehicles in frontal crashes. Structural improvement and legislative efforts to develop safety systems are necessary to improve the safety of truck occupants.
OBJECTIVES: Truck vehicles (TVs) have a different structure and stiffness than non-TVs and are used commercially for transporting goods. This study aimed to analyze whether truck occupants have a greater risk of serious injury than those of other types of vehicles. METHODS: Crash data were obtained from the Korean In-Depth Data Analysis Study (KIDAS) for calendar years 2011-2016. Vehicles involved in frontal crash were included and classified into TVs and non-TVs (passenger cars and sports utility vehicles). We compared the demographic characteristics and serious injuries by body region between the 2 groups and analyzed factors that contributed to the serious injury severity from frontal crashes. RESULTS: The analysis was based on 884 occupants; 177 (20.0%) were in TVs and 707 (80.0%) were in non-TVs. Non-TVs had more frontal airbags deployments than TVs (50.9% vs. 3.4%, P <.01). TV occupants were 4.8 times more likely to have a serious lower extremity (LE) injury (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.820; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.407-9.653) and 2.5 times to have a serious abdominal injury (AOR = 2.465; 95% CI, 1.108-5.487) compared to non-TV occupants. CONCLUSIONS: Truck occupants had more serious LE and abdominal injuries than those of other types of vehicles in frontal crashes. Structural improvement and legislative efforts to develop safety systems are necessary to improve the safety of truck occupants.