Patterns in deer-related traffic injuries over a decade: the Mayo Clinic experience

Characteristics of kangaroo-related motor vehicle crashes

BACKGROUND

Kangaroo-related motor vehicle collisions are common but there is limited literature on this topic. Drivers confronted by kangaroos may choose to swerve or to directly collide with the kangaroo. The effect of these differing crash mechanisms, along with the effect of vehicle type or time of day, has not yet been reported.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed, examining patients admitted to our tertiary trauma centre for kangaroo-related motor vehicle collisions between 2000 and 2020. Data on patient demographics, crash characteristics, and hospital stay were collected and analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 366 patients were included and were predominantly male (76%) with an median age of 40. Swerve crashes were more common (59%) than direct impact and swerving was a statistically significant predictor of reduced injury severity score on multivariable analysis (other significant factors were female sex and no rollover). Motor vehicle crashes and motorbike crashes had differing crash characteristics. Motor vehicle crashes were more likely the result of swerving, and swerving was less likely to cause ejection or require extrication but more likely to cause rollover. Motorbike crashes however, were more likely the result of head on collision and riders were more likely to be ejected from the vehicle, require extrication, or be involved in a rollover. In terms of time of day, there were more crashes at dawn and there was a trend towards higher injury severity score and length of stay for night-time crashes.

CONCLUSION

For kangaroo-related motor vehicle crashes, predictors of increased injury severity score on multivariable analysis were male sex, direct impact, and rollover. Motorbikes and motor vehicles had differing crash mechanisms and characteristics, as did night-time crashes when compared to daytime or twilight crashes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, prognostic.

Canadian wildlife-vehicle collisions: An examination of knowledge and behavior for collision prevention

OBJECTIVES

This study examines drivers' responses to wildlife on Canadian roads. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate that knowledge of what to do when encountering wildlife on the road does not always translate into the appropriate behavior to avoid a collision.

METHODS

Data from the Traffic Injury Research Foundation's (TIRF) 2016 Road Safety Monitor (RSM) and data from TIRF's National Fatality Database from 2000 to 2014 were analyzed to test hypotheses based on the theory of planned behavior. Logistic regression and piecewise linear regression were used.

RESULTS

Analyses of the data showed that the prevalence of fatal WVCs has remained relatively consistent, and that the majority of persons killed in WVCs died in crashes that involved large mammals. The majority of fatalities occurred in the summer (182 or 38.4%) and fall (163 or 34.4%). The RSM data revealed that 60.9% [50.5, 70.4] of respondents who previously hit an animal indicated that drivers should slow down and steer straight when confronted with wildlife, while 47.3% [37.1, 57.6] of respondents indicated this was the action they took when they hit wildlife. Comparatively, 59.5% [56.6, 62.4] of respondent who have not hit an animal indicated this was an appropriate response. Additionally, 33.2% [24, 44] of respondents who previously hit an animal indicated that drivers should swerve to avoid a collision with wildlife, while 37.5% [28.2, 47.8] of respondents indicated this was the action they took when they hit wildlife.

CONCLUSIONS

Many drivers are unaware of what the safest method of WVC prevention is. Further, while a subgroup of drivers may have the knowledge and intention to slow down and steer straight even if the animal is directly in the path, i.e., the safest possible behavior, they are not necessarily adopting this behavior. Practical applications: Recommendations are formulated to address this discrepancy, as well as practical applications.