Conclusions
A team of ICU physicians, statisticians, and engineers has been setup for the study of real world road accidents in the metropolitan area of Florence.
The information they gather is: environmental, technical and demographic data, treatments, injury score, and follow-up of the person involved in the road accident.
The analysis of the first data collected shows that PTW riders-and-pillions-passengers are subject to high risk of injuries in all body parts, especially on head, thorax and spine. The head is most subject to severe injuries, and the maximum incidence is at cerebral level. This is due to the greater sensitivity of the cerebrum to the inertial force (acceleration) compared to other internal organs. The use of thorax protection and full-face helmets correctly fastened could reduce the severity of the PTW user's injuries.
The car zones most dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists are the windshield (centre and upper edge), the A-pillar, and the front bumper. The injury severity of pedestrians and cyclist could be reduced by improving the car front design (bumper and hood) and by use of energy absorbers.
Abbreviations
AD: Anthropometric dummies; AIS: Abbreviated injury scale; CCIS: Co-operative crash injury study; CDC: Collision deformation classification; CIREN: Crash injury research and engineering network; CT: Computer tomography; DMTI: Department of mechanics and industrial technologies; EES: Energy equivalent speed; EMS: Emergency medical services; FDM: Finite difference method; FEHM: Finite-element human model; GCS: Glasgow coma scale; GIDAS: German in depth investigation accident study; EMTRAS: Emergency trauma score; GOS: Glasgow outcome scale; HIC: Head injury criterion; ICU: Intensive care unit; In-SAFE: In-depth study of road accidents in Florence; ISS: Injury severity score; ITARDA: Institute for traffic accident research and data analysis; JARI: Japan automobile research institute; MAIDS: Motorcycle accident in depth study; MBHM: Multi-body human model; NASS: National accident sampling system; NIC: Neck injury criterion; NISS: New injury severity score; OECD: Common international Methodology for in-depth accident investigation; OTS: On the spot; STAIRS: Standardization of accident and injury registration systems; PCC: Passenger compartment classification; PDOF: Principal direction of force; PMHS: Post mortem human subject; PTW: Powered two wheeler; TBI: Traumatic brain injury; TDC: Track deformation classification; TTR: Tuscany trauma registry; VRU: Vulnerable road users; WAD: Wraps around distance
Authors' contributions
MP, RS and AP designed the study; SP, DG, MM, RS, MP and AP reviewed the literature; SP; DG and MM collected data; SP and DG performed analysis; SP, DG, MP, GZ and AP wrote draft. All Authors revised and approved the manuscript.
Acknowledgement
The authors gratefully acknowledge all the police forces that have provided the data and the Fondazione Prato Ricerche which provided part of the instrumentation necessary to the study.
BMC Emerg Med. 2013;13(3) © 2013 BioMed Central, Ltd.
