[Pedestrian accidents]

Abstract

The epidemiology of non-traffic-related, pedestrian injuries in the winter sports resort of Arosa (Switzerland) between 1968 and 1995 (beginning december to end april) was studied. A total of 2813 patients (1140 male and 1673 female patients) with 3010 injuries was surveyed in a general practice. The study showed in the examined period not only an increasing number of injuries and a culmination in February, but also a higher risk for females (60 versus 40 per cent) and an increasing incidence with age. 6% of all patients had more than one injury and 5% required hospitalization. Most pedestrians had injuries of the upper and lower extremity; fracture of the distal radius was the most often diagnosed injury, followed by distortions of the foot and wrist and fractures of the ankle. For accident prevention it is important, that the authorities do not abstain from mechanical cleaning of walking surfaces as soon as they become slippery and from giving out warnings via the mass media. For outdoor walking we postulate boots for ankle protection. The results are discussed and compared with already existing publications.