A 20-Year Review of Recumbent Pedestrian Fatalities (2001–2020)

Abstract

A retrospective study was performed in the Northern Territory of Australia of all cases of pedestrian fatalities where the decedents had been sitting, crouching, sleeping, or lying on or next to a road, over a 20-year period (January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2020). Of the 865 road traffic fatalities, 161 (19%) were pedestrians, and 42 of these were recumbent at the time of the incident (26% of all pedestrians). The most common age range was 30 to 39 years with a male to female ratio of 25:17. No individuals younger than 15 years were involved. Acute alcohol intoxication played a role in death in all of the cases with medium to high range blood alcohol concentrations. In addition, cannabis or its metabolites were detected in 6 cases, and methylamphetamine in 1 case. A history of chronic alcohol use or dependence was known in 6 (14%) of cases. In no case was an underlying medical condition contributory to death. The majority of incidents occurred at night. This study has shown a very high incidence of recumbent pedestrian deaths in an Australian subpopulation related to acute alcohol intoxication, decreased visibility, and vulnerability because of their position on or proximate to a road.

Fatalities of Pedestrians Lying on the Road

“…In this context, such collisions would occur more frequently in rural areas. Concomitant with the study by Tiemensma and Byard, 1 we emphasized the importance of preventing fatalities after collisions between vehicles and pedestrians lying on the road 2,3 …”

“…W e read the article "A 20-year review of recumbent pedestrian fatalities (2001-2020)" by Tiemensma and Byard with great interest. 1 The authors examined the fatalities of pedestrians in the Northern Territory of Australia who had been lying on or next to the road surface before impact. We were surprised that the prevalence accounted for 26% of all pedestrian fatalities.…”

“…3 In this context, such collisions would occur more frequently in rural areas. Concomitant with the study by Tiemensma and Byard, 1 we emphasized the importance of preventing fatalities after collisions between vehicles and pedestrians lying on the road. 2,3 In Japan, among all collisions between vehicles and recumbent pedestrians from 2012 to 2018, fatalities accounted for 797 cases, severe injuries needing 30 or more days' treatment for 784 cases, and mild injuries for 871 cases.…”