A Case Study on Public Transportation and Road Safety: Why so Many Passengers' Injuries from Van Crashes onto Trees?

Abstract

This case study aimed to identify epidemiology and factors for traffic injuries and deaths caused to passengers when public transportation vans crash onto trees. Research was executed in Phatthalung from 14 to 16 September, 2018.  Participants were 24 people being either victims, eyewitnesses, health staff, or emergency and rescue agents. Data were collected using traffic injury investigation forms. Methods for epidemiological investigation were used to interview nurses, rescue teams, and injured who survived from these accidents, to collect data from medical documents, and to survey at the scene and the vehicle together with multidisciplinary team. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Analytic induction was used to analyze the factors by using Haddon’s Matrix.

Environmental risks included: a) drenched roads, b) trees in safety zone, c) crash onto trees, d) black spot areas, and e) difficulty of access.Therefore results involved 2 vehicles with 15 victims, including 1 pickup truck driver, and 14 victims in the van (13 injuries and 1 death). At the scene, a person died (6.7%) and 13 people were injured (93.3%). This accident occurred because a pickup truck ran off the road and hit a van, so the van fell into the middle of the road area and hit trees, causing severe injuries and death. Human error-related factors included speeding, and sudden change of lane. Passenger risks included non-use of seat belt, being ejected out of the van, and being stuck in vehicle. Vehicular risks included defective seat belt and structural vehicle damage. Therefore, relevant agencies should focus on measures to increase safety of public transportation, and enforce law on vehicle and passenger safety. The tree’s location and proximity to the road should be eliminated in the clear zone on the middle of the road.