Pedestrian Fatalities Resulting From Train-Person Collisions

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2015

Authors

Sousa, S (Author) Other; Santos, L (Author) Other; Ricardo Jorge Dinis Oliveira (Author) FMUP; Teresa Magalhães (Author) FMUP; Santos A (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Traffic Injury Prevention

Vol. 16

Pages: 208-212

ISSN: 1538-9588

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 8 Citations

Scopus - 10 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-WW9

DOI: 10.1080/15389588.2014.914181

Abstract (EN): Objective: Train-person collisions have a significant impact in our society, due to their negative economic and psychological effects. This work aims to study fatalities resulting from train-person collisions in Portugal. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted based on the analysis of autopsy reports related to train-person fatalities performed in the North Branch of the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences. Results: Suicide was responsible for most of the cases, and males were more often involved in train-person collisions than females. Victims, between 40 and 59years old, were found to be involved in a high percentage (39%) of the cases, and people older than 65 accounted for a significant percentage (40%) of the accidents. No seasonality was observed in suicide cases, but a decrease in accident numbers was registered in summer. Regarding weekday and time of day, afternoon and non-rush hour were the times when most suicides were observed, whereas accidents did not showed a specific weekday or time of day, except for rush hour, during which they were more frequent. Alcohol-positive blood analysis accounting for 25% of the cases. Conclusions: Differences from other European studies were found, which may be related to the different cultures of the countries/regions, as well as to the differences in the railway systems. More extensive studies must be performed in order to develop strategies to prevent train-person collisions.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 5