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. 2016 Nov 9:9:32518.
doi: 10.3402/gha.v9.32518. eCollection 2016.

The Epidemiology of Fatal road traffic Collisions in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies (2000-2011)

Chavin D Gopaul  1 , Aruna Singh-Gopaul  2 , Joan M Sutherland  3 , Luke Rostant  3 , Kristie L Ebi  4 , Dave D Chadee  3
Affiliations

The Epidemiology of Fatal road traffic Collisions in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies (2000-2011)

Chavin D Gopaul et al. Glob Health Action. .

Abstract

Background: The purpose of the study is to determine the epidemiology of road traffic collisions (RTCs) in Trinidad and Tobago by characterizing RTCs in terms of number of collisions, fatalities, victim profiles, and locations for the purpose of informing accident prevention programs. Previous studies of RTCs in Trinidad and Tobago were primarily concerned with patterns of drivers use of seat belts, road collisions as a cause of mortality in young men, and the economic burden of road collisions. Attempts were made to model road fatalities, but limited epidemiological data meant that it was difficult to determine trends or develop models.

Methods: This study determined the epidemiology of RTCs in Trinidad and Tobago over the period 2000-2011 using data collected by the Trinidad and Tobago Road Traffic Branch of the Police Service and secondary data from the Central Statistical Office. Data were analyzed using Excel, SPSS, and R statistical packages.

Results: Fatalities were greater among men (80%) than among women (20%) and were highest on two major freeways in Trinidad [the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway and the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway]. Most collisions occurred during the night among individuals between the ages of 15 and 44 years. Fatalities among drivers steadily increased over the study period and overtook fatalities among pedestrians, who were the group most affected in 2000. Most fatalities occurred at weekends.

Conclusions: These patterns can inform (i) education programs and (ii) road and traffic control measures.

Keywords: Trinidad; West Indies; fatality; person; place; road traffic collisions; time.

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Conflict of interest statement

and funding The authors have not received any funding or benefits from industry or elsewhere to conduct this study.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Boxplot of road fatalities by gender from 2000 to 2011.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Boxplot of road fatalities by age from 2000 to 2011.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Boxplot of road traffic fatalities in Trinidad and Tobago by month (data from 2005 to 2011). Source: Trinidad and Tobago traffic branch.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Boxplot of road traffic fatalities in Trinidad and Tobago by day of the week (data from 2000 to 2011).
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Boxplot of road traffic fatalities in Trinidad and Tobago by time of day (data from 2000 to 2011).
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Boxplot of road traffic fatalities in Trinidad and Tobago by class (data from 2000 to 2011). PED, Pedestrian; DRV, Driver; PAS, Passenger; PCYC, Motor bikes; OTH, Others.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Number of fatalities that occurred on different roads in Trinidad and Tobago (from 2000 to 2011). CNH, Claude Noel Highway; SSHH, Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway; UBH, Uriah Butler Highway; SMR, Southern Main Road; PBR, Priority Bus Route; EMR, Eastern Main Road; CRH, Churchill–Roosevelt Highway.
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