CPH LECTURE

DETAILS: 1st SEMESTER – ORPIANO, Tyson L. – SATURDAY; 9:00-11:00 AM

➢ For example, every 1% increase in mean speed

TOPIC OVERVIEW produces a 4% increase in the fatal crash risk and a
3% increase in the serious crash risk.
CHAPTER 13: A PUBLIC HEALTH
PERSPECTIVE OF ROAD TRAFFIC ➢ The death risk for pedestrians hit by car fronts rises
INCIDENTS rapidly (4.5 times from 50 km/h to 65 km/h).
➢ WHO – Key Facts
➢ Contributing Factors ➢ In car-to-car side impacts the fatality risk for car
➢ Influence of Alcohol and Other Psychoactive occupants is 85% at 65 km/h.
Substances
➢ Non-use of Safety Gear
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF
➢ RA 8750
ALCOHOL AND OTHER PSYCHOACTIVE
➢ Cause of Road Accidents
SUBSTANCES
➢ Road Accidents First-Aid
➢ Driving under the influence of alcohol and any
➢ What to do in Situations?
psychoactive substance or drug increases the
➢ Weather Conditions
risk of a crash that results in death or
➢ Inadequate Law Enforcement of Traffic Laws
serious injuries.
➢ RTA’s
➢ RSIS
➢ In the case of drunk driving, the risk of a road traffic
➢ Road Safety Rules
crash starts at low levels of blood alcohol
concentration (BAC) and increases significantly
when the driver's BAC is ≥ 0.04 g/dl.

➢ In the case of drug driving, the risk of incurring a

road traffic crash is increased to differing degrees
depending on the psychoactive drug used. For
example, the risk of a fatal crash occurring among
those who have used amphetamines is about 5
times the risk of someone who hasn't.

NON-USE OF MOTORCYCLE HELMETS, SEAT-

BELTS, AND CHILD RESTRAINTS
➢ Correct helmet use can lead to a 42% reduction
in the risk of fatal injuries and a 69%
WHO – KEY FACTS (FEB. 7, 2020) reduction in the risk of head injuries.
➢ Approximately 1.35 million people die each
year as a result of road traffic crashes. ➢ Wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of death among
drivers and front seat occupants by 45 - 50% and
➢ More than half of all road traffic deaths are the risk of death and serious injuries among rear
among vulnerable road users: pedestrians, cyclists, seat occupants by 25%.
and motorcyclists.
➢ The use of child restraints can lead to a 60%
➢ Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death reduction in deaths.
for children and young adults aged 5-29 years.
RA 8750: SEAT BELT USE ACT OF 1999
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS ➢ states that the driver and passengers (both rear and
front passengers) of private and public vehicles are
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
required to use and wear their seat belts
SPEEDING
every time they're inside a car with a running
➢ An increase in average speed is directly related to
engine on any street, road, or highway.
the likelihood of a crash occurring and to the
severity of the consequences of the crash.

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 CPH LECTURE
DETAILS: 1st SEMESTER – ORPIANO, Tyson L. – SATURDAY; 9:00-11:00 AM

➢ This law also bans children six years and vehicle and those out of it – is considerably
younger from occupying the front seat of increased.
any vehicle with a running engine even if the
child is wearing a seatbelt as stated in Section INADEQUATE POST-CRASH CARE
5. Delays in detecting and providing care for those
involved in a road traffic crash increase the severity
DISTRACTED DRIVING of injuries.
➢ Many types of distractions can lead to impaired
driving. The distraction caused by mobile FIRST-AID IN ROAD ACCIDENTS
phones is a growing concern for road safety.
BASIC AIMS:
➢ Drivers using mobile phones are
approximately 4 times more likely to be ✓ To save life
involved in a crash than drivers not using a
mobile phone. Using a phone while driving slows ✓ To protect the casualty from getting more
reaction times (notably braking reaction time, but harm
also reaction to traffic signals), and makes it
difficult to keep in the correct lane, and to keep the ✓ To reduce pain and priorities of casualty
correct following distances. treatment

➢ Hands-free phones are not much safer than hand- IMMEDIATE REQUIREMENTS IN AN RTA
held phone sets, and texting considerably SITUATION ARE AS FOLLOWS:
increases the risk of a crash.
CRITICAL 4 MINUTE
UNSAFE ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE - One of the most common causes of a road
➢ The design of roads can have a considerable impact accident death is due to loss of oxygen
on their safety. Ideally, roads should be designed supply. This is mostly caused by a blocked
keeping in mind the safety of all road users. This airway. Normally it takes <4 minutes for a
would mean making sure that there are adequate blocked airway to cause death.
facilities for pedestrians, cyclists, and
motorcyclists. THE “GOLDEN HOUR”
- The first hour after the trauma is called
➢ Measures such as footpaths, cycling lanes, safe the “golden hour”. If proper first aid is given,
crossing points, and other traffic calming road accident victims have a greater chance of
measures can be critical to reducing the risk of survival and a reduction in the severity of their
injury among these road users. injuries.

WEATHER CONDITIONS
UNSAFE VEHICLES
➢ Safe vehicles play a critical role in averting
crashes and reducing the likelihood of
serious injury. There are several UN regulations
on vehicle safety that, if applied to countries’
manufacturing and production standards, would
potentially save many lives.

➢ These include requiring vehicle manufacturers to

meet front and side impact regulations, including
electronic stability control (to prevent over-
steering), and ensuring airbags and seatbelts are
fitted in all vehicles. Without these basic standards,
the risk of traffic injuries – both to those in the

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 CPH LECTURE
DETAILS: 1st SEMESTER – ORPIANO, Tyson L. – SATURDAY; 9:00-11:00 AM

INADEQUATE LAW ENFORCEMENT OF wear helmets while cycling increases the risk of
TRAFFIC LAWS injury.
➢ If traffic laws are not enforced or are perceived as
not being enforced it is likely they will not be Other Human Factors:
complied with and therefore will have very little
chance of influencing behaviour. ❖ Mental state: Stress, anxiety, or anger can impair
judgment and increase the risk of accidents.
➢ Effective enforcement includes establishing,
regularly updating, and enforcing laws at the ❖ Physical condition: Illness, fatigue, or injury can
national, municipal, and local levels that address affect a driver's ability to control their vehicle.
the above-mentioned risk factors. It includes also
the definition of appropriate penalties. VEHICLE-RELATED VECTORS
❖ Vehicle Malfunctions: Faulty brakes, steering
ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS issues, tire blowouts, and other mechanical
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* problems can lead to accidents.
HUMAN-RELATED VECTORS
❖ Design Flaws: Certain vehicle designs may be
Driver Error: This encompasses a wide range more prone to accidents, such as vehicles with poor
of behaviors, including: visibility or unstable handling characteristics.

❖ Distracted driving: Using a mobile phone, ❖ Lack of Safety Features: Vehicles without
eating, applying makeup, or engaging in other standard safety features like airbags, anti-lock
activities that divert attention from the road. brakes, or electronic stability control may be more
likely to be involved in accidents.
❖ Drowsy driving: Fatigue significantly impairs
reaction time and judgment, increasing the risk of ❖ Maintenance Issues: Neglecting regular
accidents. maintenance can lead to mechanical failures that
contribute to accidents.
❖ Aggressive driving: Speeding, tailgating,
weaving in and out of traffic, and road rage can lead ENVIRONMENTAL-RELATED FACTORS
to collisions. ❖ Weather: Rain, snow, fog, ice, and strong winds
can reduce visibility, create slippery road surfaces,
❖ Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of and make it difficult to control vehicles.
alcohol or drugs significantly increases the risk of
accidents. ❖ Lighting: Poor lighting conditions can make it
difficult to see other vehicles, pedestrians, and
❖ Lack of experience: Inexperienced drivers may obstacles.
not have the skills or knowledge to handle
challenging driving situations safely. ❖ Road Conditions: Potholes, debris, construction
zones, and other road hazards can cause accidents.
❖ Poor judgment: Misjudging distances, speeds, or
other factors can lead to accidents. ❖ Wildlife: Animals entering the roadway can cause
drivers to swerve, leading to accidents.
Pedestrian and Cyclist Error: Pedestrians and
cyclists can also contribute to accidents by: ❖ Glare: Sunlight reflecting off surfaces can
temporarily blind drivers, increasing the risk of
❖ Jaywalking: Crossing the street outside of accidents
designated crosswalks.
ROAD-RELATED VECTORS
❖ Not paying attention: Distracted pedestrians or ❖ Road Design: Sharp curves, steep hills, and
cyclists are more likely to be involved in accidents. narrow lanes can make it difficult to control vehicles
❖ Improper use of safety equipment: Not and increase the risk of accidents.
wearing reflective clothing at night or failing to

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 CPH LECTURE
DETAILS: 1st SEMESTER – ORPIANO, Tyson L. – SATURDAY; 9:00-11:00 AM

❖ Road Surface: Uneven surfaces, potholes, and

other irregularities can cause vehicles to lose
control.

❖ Intersection Design: Poorly designed

intersections with limited visibility or confusing
traffic flow can lead to accidents.

❖ Lack of Signage: Inadequate or confusing signage

can lead to drivers making wrong turns or
misjudging road conditions.

❖ Traffic Flow: Heavy traffic can increase the risk of

accidents due to congestion, driver frustration, and
reduced visibility.

ROAD SAFETY INFORMATION SYSTEM

Road traffic safety refers to the methods and
measures used to prevent road users from being killed
or seriously injured. Typical road users include
pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, vehicle passengers,
horse riders, and passengers of on-road public
transport (mainly buses and trams).

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