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. 2017 Jan-Feb;37(1):1-9.
doi: 10.5144/0256-4947.2017.1.

Outcomes of road traffic injuries before and after the implementation of a camera ticketing system: a retrospective study from a large trauma center in Saudi Arabia

Suliman Alghnam  1 , Muhamad Alkelya, Moath Alfraidy, Khalid Al-Bedah, Ibrahim Tawfiq Albabtain, Omar Alshenqeety
Affiliations

Outcomes of road traffic injuries before and after the implementation of a camera ticketing system: a retrospective study from a large trauma center in Saudi Arabia

Suliman Alghnam et al. Ann Saudi Med. 2017 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Background: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are the third leading cause of death in Saudi Arabia. Because speed is a major risk factor for severe crash-related injuries, a camera ticketing system was implemented countrywide in mid-2010 by the traffic police in an effort to improve traffic safety. There are no published studies on the effects of the system in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To examine injury severity and associated mortality at a large trauma center before and after the implementation of the ticketing system.

Design: Retrospective, analytical.

Setting: Trauma center of a tertiary care center in Riyadh.

Patients and methods: The study included all trauma registry patients seen in the emergency department for a crash-related injury (automobile occupants, pedestrians, or motorcyclists) between January 2005 and December 2014. Associations with outcome measures were assessed by univariate and multivariate methods.

Main outcome measure(s): Injury severity score (ISS), Glasgow coma scale (GCS) and mortality.

Results: The study included all trauma registry patients seen in the emergency department for a crash-related injury. All health outcomes improved in the period following implementation of the ticketing system. Following implementation, ISS scores decreased (-3.1, 95% CI -4.6, -1.6) and GCS increased (0.47, 95% CI 0.08, 0.87) after adjusting for other covariates. The odds of death were 46% lower following implementation than before implementation. When the data were log-transformed to account for skewed data distributions, the results remained statistically significant.

Conclusions: This study suggests positive health implications following the implementation of the camera ticketing system. Further investment in public health interventions is warranted to reduce preventable RTIs.

Limitations: The study findings represent a trauma center at a single hospital in Riyadh, which may not generalize to the Saudi population.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to report.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Injury severity scale scores relative to the year 2010.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Glasgow coma scale scores relative to the year 2010.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Odds ratio of death relative the to year 2010.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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