Injuries to the elderly in the traffic environment.

Two hundred ninety-seven persons, all aged 60 or over (180 women, 117 men), injured in the traffic environment, and treated at the Regional Hospital in Umeå, over a one-year period, were analysed. Injuries were grouped into three main categories: falls (52%), vehicle-associated events (44%), and "other" injury events (4%). In women, falls were a more common cause of injury than vehicle events, whilst in men there was a tendency for a converse relationship. Two-thirds of the falls involved slipping on ice and snow. Ice- and snow- related injuries (all categories) accounted for 37% of the total cost of all injuries in the elderly in the traffic environment. The main groups in the vehicle-associated injury category were cyclists (48%), car occupants (34%), other occupants (14%), and pedestrians (4%). Vehicle-associated injuries became more common with advancing age, resulted in the most severe and critical [Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale (MAIS) greater than or equal to 4] injuries and the most fatalities, and cost (total and mean) more than falls. In conclusion, from the injury cost point of view, it is most important to prevent vehicle-associated injuries. However, when total frequencies are considered, falls deserve to be given just as much priority in injury prevention programs as vehicle-associated injuries, to make the traffic environment safer for this growing population.