Analysis of traffic deaths and traffic behaviors in Zhejiang Province in 2004

Objective The present study was conducted to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of traffic deaths and the traffic behaviors of population in Zhejiang Province in order to provide the basis for the prevention and control of traffic accidents. Methods Based on the data obtained from Public Health Surveillance System of Zhejiang Province in 2004, the rate of injury deaths was analyzed according to ICD-10, and the rate of injury deaths, the proportion of causes of death and years of potential life lost (YPLL) were calculated. Results Among all death causes of injuries, traffic accident ranked first, of which the mortality was 19.49/lakh. The mortality of traffic accident was 0.56 times higher in rural areas than in urban areas, and 1.80 times higher in males than in females. 55.98% of dead cases were young people, and deaths due to traffic accidents in students have accounted for a quite high percentage of all death causes. Among the 9 kinds of deaths due to traffic accidents, death resulted from the vehicle-man collision ranked top. The persons dying from traffic accidents whose potential life lost most seriously were the pedestrians in city, and motorcycle riders in county. 30 days before investigation, 11.30%, 11.26%, and 12.78% of persons had driven after drinking alcohol, or for more than 3 hours, or without license respectively, 36.22% of drivers had ridden motorcycle without helmet, and 26.33% of pedestrians hadn't obeyed the traffic rules. Conclusion We should enhance the public education of traffic safety especially young people to improve the public consciousness of traffic safety.