Population-based case–control study of the effect of sun glare on pedestrian fatalities in Taiwan

Abstract

ObjectivesSun glare is a serious driving hazard and increases crash risks. Relatively few studies have examined the effects of sun glare on pedestrian fatalities, given that a crash has occurred. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the effect of sun glare on pedestrian fatalities.DesignA population-based case–control study.SettingTaiwan.ParticipantsUsing the Taiwan National Traffic Crash Data and sunrise and sunset data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for the period 2003 to 2016, 100 411 pedestrians involved in crashes were identified. Of these crashes, 13 355 and 87 056 were glare-related (case) and non-glare-related (control) crashes, respectively.MethodsTo account for unobserved heterogeneity, mixed logit models were estimated to identify the determinants of pedestrian fatalities.Main outcome measuresPedestrian fatalities.ResultsPedestrians involved in glare-related crashes were more likely to be fatally injured than those in non-glare-related crashes (β=0.527; t=3.21). Other contributory factors to fatal injuries among pedestrians were older pedestrians (β=0.553; t=2.33), male drivers (β=0.324; t=2.33), older drivers (β=0.218; t=2.14), intoxicated motorists (β=0.606; t=2.85), rural roadways (β=0.985; t=3.92), overtaking manoeuvres (β=0.472; t=3.58), heavy vehicle crash partners (β=0.248; t=2.78) and sunset hours (β=0.274; t=3.08). Walking against traffic appeared beneficial for decreasing injury severity (β=−0.304; t=−2.76).ConclusionsSun glare is associated with pedestrian fatalities. Older pedestrians, male drivers, older drivers and intoxicated motorists are prevalent determinants of pedestrian fatalities in glare-related crashes.

Sex, age, role and geographic differences in traumatic spinal fractures caused by motor vehicle collisions: a multicentre retrospective study

“…This mix and the density of both pedestrians and PTWs translate to a high potential for unsafe interactions between the 2 types of road users 28 . The empirical results that sun glare is a combined spatiotemporal factor associated with pedestrian fatalities may be unique to Taiwan because of its unique sunrise and sunset times and orientations 29 . Younger patients, especially those with MVCs involving motorcycles in Chongqing, should be given more attention to prevent nerve injuries.…”

“…Head injuries account for most pedestrian fatalities in crashes with powered 2-wheelers in India, and lower extremity injuries account for most nonfatal injuries 28 . Older pedestrians, male drivers, older drivers and intoxicated motorists are prevalent determinants of pedestrian fatalities in glare-related crashes 29 . Enhancing the conspicuity of pedestrians with the use of visibility aids may be beneficial for reducing crash risk or severity 30 .…”

Latent Class Cluster Analysis and Mixed Logit Model to Investigate Pedestrian Crash Injury Severity

“…Moreover, sun glare can occur in certain circumstances during this time and reduce visibility [100]. It was found that sun glare can lead to more severe injuries in pedestrian-related crashes [101]. This variable has a fixed effect in all other clusters, which shows the clustering method's efficacy in eliminating the heterogeneity for this variable.…”

Effect of Distance to Trauma Centre, Trauma Centre Level, and Trauma Centre Region on Fatal Injuries among Motorcyclists in Taiwan

“…Road environmental factors, namely weather conditions (adverse or fine weather), road light conditions (night-time or daytime), and road speed limit (≥50 km/h or <50 km/h), were analysed. Road light conditions were defined as “daytime” if crashes occurred between sunrise and sunset and “night-time” if crashes occurred between sunset and sunrise [ 22 , 26 ]. Data on sunrise and sunset times in Taiwan were obtained from the National Oceanic Earth System Research Laboratory and Atmospheric Administration database (accessed 2 February 2020).…”