David M Notrica1, Lois W Sayrs, Nidhi Krishna. 1. From the Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona (D.M.N., L.W.S., N.K.); University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona (D.M.N., L.W.S.); and Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona (D.M.N.).
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of adolescent death from trauma. A recent study found American College of Surgeons-verified pediatric trauma centers (vPTC) were inversely correlated with pediatric mortality, but the analysis was limited to a single year. This study assesses the contribution of vPTCs, crash characteristics, and state driver laws on 15- to 17-year-old motor vehicle crash mortality for all 50 states from 1999 to 2015. METHODS: Prospective data on motor vehicle fatalities, crash characteristics, state driving laws, and American College of Surgeons-verified trauma centers were collected from publicly available sources for 50 US states from 1999 to 2015. A mixed fixed/random effects multivariate regression model was fitted to assess the relative contribution of crash characteristics, state laws, and vPTCs while controlling for state variation and time trends. RESULTS: The final regression model included driver and crash characteristics, verified trauma centers, and state laws. Camera laws ([B = -0.57 [p < 0.001]) were associated with a 57% decrease in the rate of change in adolescent crude fatalities. The lagged Level 1 vPTC crude rate (B = -0.12 [p < .001]) was protective and contributed independently to a 12% decline in the rate of change in teen fatalities over the time period. Seat belt laws (B = -0.15 [p < 0.001]), graduated driver's license passenger restrictions (B = -0.07[p < 0.001]), graduated driver's license learner permit period (B = -0.04 [p < 0.002]), nondeployed airbag (B = -0.003 [p < 0.001]), and Hispanic heritage (B = -0.003 [p < 0.05]) were protective. Increased risk of fatality was associated with minivan (B = 0.01 [p < 0.001]), speed > 90 mph (B = 0.004 [p < 0.001]), rural roads (B = 0.002 [p < 0.002], unknown seat belt compliance (B = 0.004 [p < 0.001]), and dry road surface (B = 0.005 [p < 0.001]). CONCLUSIONS: State camera laws during the study time frame are associated with a 57% decrease in the rate of change in adolescent crude fatalities; vPTCs during the study time period reduced overall rate of change in the crude fatality rate by 12%. State laws, restrictions on teenage passengers and longer learner's permit periods, and seat belt laws are associated with significant decreases in the crude teen mortality rate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prospective study and prevention, level III.
BACKGROUND: Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of adolescent death from trauma. A recent study found American College of Surgeons-verified pediatric trauma centers (vPTC) were inversely correlated with pediatric mortality, but the analysis was limited to a single year. This study assesses the contribution of vPTCs, crash characteristics, and state driver laws on 15- to 17-year-old motor vehicle crash mortality for all 50 states from 1999 to 2015. METHODS: Prospective data on motor vehicle fatalities, crash characteristics, state driving laws, and American College of Surgeons-verified trauma centers were collected from publicly available sources for 50 US states from 1999 to 2015. A mixed fixed/random effects multivariate regression model was fitted to assess the relative contribution of crash characteristics, state laws, and vPTCs while controlling for state variation and time trends. RESULTS: The final regression model included driver and crash characteristics, verified trauma centers, and state laws. Camera laws ([B = -0.57 [p < 0.001]) were associated with a 57% decrease in the rate of change in adolescent crude fatalities. The lagged Level 1 vPTC crude rate (B = -0.12 [p < .001]) was protective and contributed independently to a 12% decline in the rate of change in teen fatalities over the time period. Seat belt laws (B = -0.15 [p < 0.001]), graduated driver's license passenger restrictions (B = -0.07[p < 0.001]), graduated driver's license learner permit period (B = -0.04 [p < 0.002]), nondeployed airbag (B = -0.003 [p < 0.001]), and Hispanic heritage (B = -0.003 [p < 0.05]) were protective. Increased risk of fatality was associated with minivan (B = 0.01 [p < 0.001]), speed > 90 mph (B = 0.004 [p < 0.001]), rural roads (B = 0.002 [p < 0.002], unknown seat belt compliance (B = 0.004 [p < 0.001]), and dry road surface (B = 0.005 [p < 0.001]). CONCLUSIONS: State camera laws during the study time frame are associated with a 57% decrease in the rate of change in adolescent crude fatalities; vPTCs during the study time period reduced overall rate of change in the crude fatality rate by 12%. State laws, restrictions on teenage passengers and longer learner's permit periods, and seat belt laws are associated with significant decreases in the crude teen mortality rate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prospective study and prevention, level III.
Authors: David M Notrica; Lois W Sayrs; Nidhi Krishna; Dorothy Rowe; Dawn E Jaroszewski; Lisa E McMahon Journal: J Trauma Acute Care Surg Date: 2020-06 Impact factor: 3.697