Motor vehicle collisions involving child pedestrians in eThekwini in 2007.

The burden of disability and death on child pedestrians has not been widely researched in the developing world. Using the eThekwini Transport Authority database for 2007, data about collisions involving pedestrians under the age of 15 in the eThekwini metropolitan area were analysed. Incidence risk and proportions were calculated for risk factors involving pedestrians, drivers and the environment. Male pedestrians aged 5 to 9 were at highest risk of injury compared to other male pedestrians (IRR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.38 to 1.91). This group also had the highest fatality risk (IRR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.05 to 4.29). Male drivers had nearly five times the risk of involvement in pedestrian collisions compared to females. The highest proportion of fatal pedestrian collisions involved buses and trucks, on freeways, in wet conditions and at night. The findings point to the need to: (a) improve pedestrian visibility; (b) design safe routes to schools; and (c) develop practical roadside skills. For the first time in research in road traffic injuries, this study provides an overall picture of both fatal and non-fatal child pedestrian collisions in a South African municipality.