RISK FACTORS AFFECTING FATAL VERSUS NON-FATAL ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS: THE CASE OF KARS PROVINCE, TURKEY

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to determine risk factors affecting the fatal versus non-fatal accidents in a rural region of Turkey, during 2008-2012, considering variables associated with the individual, the environment, and the motor vehicle. A retrospective study was conducted by obtaining the data from the traffic police road accident reports between 2008 and 2012. A stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the data and critical factors that contributed significantly to fatal versus non-fatal traffic accidents. The results revealed that the driver’s age (OR = 1.09; 90% CI = 1.05 – 1.14), clear weather (OR = 0.11; 90% CI = 0.02 – 0.65), winter season (OR = 0.16; 90% CI = 0.03 – 0.75), straight (OR = 0.22; 90% CI = 0.05 – 0.91) or slight road curve/bend (OR = 0.17; 90% CI = 0.04 – 0.83), the driver’s education (OR = 0.18; 90% CI = 0.04 – 0.85) and the purpose of the vehicle (OR = 0.20; 90% CI = 0.04 – 0.94) were the significant factors affecting road traffic accidents over the sample period.