This study aimed at describing the problem of Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs) in Saudi Arabia and their impact on the working population in terms of reduced productivity. Data on road traffic injuries and deaths were collected for the period of 1997 to 2002 and compared to population census during the same period. Potential Productive Years of Life Lost (PPYLL) was calculated. The total number of deaths due to RTIs was 21905 deaths and the total PPYLL due to RTIs was 459820.81. In all age groups, the losses in males were 1.91 to 8.52 times greater than in females, the differences were statistically significant. Both males and females showed an increasing trend of PPYLL for 20-29 years, 30-39 years, and 10-19 years old age groups. The increasing trend was more impressive in males. PPYLL average was 50000 years annually in the productive years of life in years 1997 to 2002, with about 33 % increase in 2002. RTIs are a major health problem affecting all age groups; working population are more vulnerable due to commuting. Losses in productive years are more prominent and serious in productive age groups.
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