Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2014 · DOI: 13.1310/sci2002-158 · Published: January 1, 2014
Road collisions are a leading cause of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) worldwide. In Ireland, a road safety strategy was implemented to reduce road fatalities and injuries. This study examines the incidence of TSCI resulting from road collisions in Ireland from 2001 to 2010, coinciding with the implementation of the road safety strategy. The study uses a hospital database to gather information on TSCI cases and their causes. The study found a downward trend in the number of TSCIs resulting from road collisions during the study period, but this trend was not statistically significant. The largest number of TSCIs were in the 20- to 29-year age category and among males.
Continued enforcement of road safety measures, such as speed limits, seat belt use, and alcohol testing, is crucial to further reduce TSCIs resulting from road collisions.
Road safety education should be targeted towards young males, as they are the most affected group, to increase awareness and promote safer driving practices.
The establishment of a national TSCI registry is essential for accurate data collection and monitoring of trends, enabling better-informed preventive strategies.