Hit-and-runs more common with pedestrians lying on the road: Analysis of a nationwide database in Japan

Abstract

Purpose To determine the trends with fatally or otherwise injured pedestrians lying on the road and the relationship to hit-and-run incidents in Japan. Methods We extracted data for 2012–2016 from the records of the Institute for Traffic Accident Research and Data Analysis, Japan, a nationwide traffic accident database. All the injured and fatally injured pedestrians were selected. We examined the levels of pedestrian injury, vehicle speed immediately before the collision, whether or not the pedestrian was lying on the road, and hit-and-run incidents. Chi-square test was employed to make a statistical comparison between the two groups. Results The database contained data on 286,383 pedestrian casualties and 7256 fatalities; 8.3% of fatalities (602 persons) and 0.6% of casualties (1827 persons) involved pedestrians lying on the road. The rates of fatalities and severe injuries were significantly higher for pedestrians who were lying on the road than for those who were not. Hit-and-run incidents were evident in 4.0% of casualties and 7.3% of fatalities. The rate of hit-and-run cases was also significantly higher among pedestrians who were lying on the road. Among fatally injured pedestrians not lying on the road, the rates with speeds of ≥30 km/h did not differ significantly between hit-and-run and other cases. However, when the pedestrians were lying on the road, the rate was significantly increased in hit-and-run cases. Conclusion This is the first report to focus on pedestrians lying on the road and being involved in hit-and-run incidents. In addition to preventing hit-and-run incidents, prevention of pedestrians lying on the road could also decrease fatalities.

Factors Influencing Fatalities or Severe Injuries to Pedestrians Lying on the Road in Japan: Nationwide Police Database Study

“…Therefore, to improve traffic safety and address unresolved issues, there is a need for detailed investigations that contribute towards establishing effective preventive measures. In Japan, pedestrians lying on the road accounted for 8.3% of all pedestrian fatalities; however, few reports have dealt with such pedestrians [11,12]. The present study is the first to make a comprehensive analysis of the injuries of victims and vehicle characteristics with such collisions.…”

“…A detailed investigation about such pedestrians has been conducted. According to the database, pedestrians lying on the road accounted for 8.3% of all pedestrian fatalities from 2012 to 2016; thus, the numbers are considerable [11]. Among casualties to pedestrians lying on the road, 33.0% were fatalities, 30.8% severe injuries, and 36.2% mild injuries.…”

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 …”

“…According to our study based on the nationwide police database in Japan, among vehicle-pedestrian collisions, only 8.3% of fatalities involved pedestrians who had been lying on the road. 2,3 We surmised that the disparity in these rates might be due to urban-rural differences. The Australian study was performed in Northern Territory, which is predominantly rural, and vehicle velocity generally is higher in rural than in urban 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. 3 Therefore, as in Australia, significant numbers of nonfatal collisions between vehicles and recumbent pedestrians have been documented.…”