Year: 1993
Type: article
Abstract: World Congress on Emergency and Disaster Medicine S141ties, injury severity (by AIS 90), and impact on rescue structures were abstracted.Results: Ten motorways accidents were studied.There were 433 vehicles involved, 156 wounded, and 20 dead motor-vehicle users.These accidents were related mostly to sudden changes in visibility and to variability of light and heavy traffic, and usually were triggered by sudden alterations in traffic flow; it was possible to identify some "black spots" at particular risk.A motorway disaster frequently is configured with masses of impacted vehicles, separated by a few vehicles that did not crash.The worst consequences to vehicle occupants are often those situated in the middle or in the terminal sub-units of the accident.Therefore, it is difficult for rescue teams to recognize and acquire access to some severe impact zones within the main accident, and the narrow contact of deformed vehicles creates a dangerous situation in case of fire.Conclusion: Motorway "disasters" are rare events (less than 1% of all motorway accidents), but dramatically severe in their economic and human consequences.A correct real-time information system for drivers and a greater distance between vehicles and vehicles in good repair could reduce their prevalence.Moreover, rescue organization must be planned accurately in order to overcome trouble in acquiring access to the scene and in triage of casualties.309
Authors: E.A Pretto, D.C Angus, J.I Abrams, M Klain, B Kirimli, P Safar, the Disaster Reanimatology Study Group
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Language: English
Subfield: Emergency Medical Services
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2606989301