Nofal F H, Saeed A A
Department of Community Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Public Health. 1997 Jan;111(1):51-5. doi: 10.1038/sj.ph.1900297.
The monthly variation of Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) in Riyadh city in the period 1989-1993 has been studied with reference to time of day, lighting conditions and prevalent weather conditions. Total RTA accidents were significantly more common, being directly correlated, with increased dry and wet bulb temperatures and significantly less common, being inversely correlated, with increased relative humidity and amount of precipitation of rain, snow, hail etc. However, RTAs recorded on rainy days only were significantly more common and directly correlated with precipitation (Note days of snow and hail are very rare in Riyadh city). Seasonal variation in RTAs was evident being maximal during the summer season particularly between 12 noon and 3 pm. This period is characterized by heavy traffic and intense sunlight. The role of hot weather prevalent in Saudi Arabia, where average temperatures of 34.4-34.7 degrees C with maximum of 40-42.7 degrees C are common in summer, have been suggested to be an important factor leading to increased stress and decreased performance of intellectual tasks which require considerable physical effort and motor skills. Increased heart rates, exacerbation of existing pathologic conditions such as heart disease and emphysema and loss of visual acuity have been reported. Consequently, prolonged exposure to heat must be considered as a hazard to the safety and health of drivers and a factor leading to an increased incidence of RTAs.
对利雅得市1989 - 1993年期间道路交通事故（RTA）的月度变化进行了研究，涉及一天中的时间、光照条件和盛行的天气状况。总的RTA事故明显更为常见，与干湿球温度升高直接相关，而与相对湿度增加以及雨、雪、冰雹等降水量增加呈负相关，明显较少见。然而，仅在雨天记录的RTA事故明显更为常见，且与降水量直接相关（注意在利雅得市雪天和冰雹天非常罕见）。RTA的季节性变化明显，在夏季尤其是中午12点至下午3点期间达到最大值。这个时间段交通繁忙且阳光强烈。沙特阿拉伯普遍炎热的天气作用显著，夏季平均气温为34.4 - 34.7摄氏度，最高可达40 - 42.7摄氏度，这被认为是导致压力增加以及需要大量体力和运动技能的智力任务表现下降的一个重要因素。据报道，心率加快、现有病理状况如心脏病和肺气肿加重以及视力下降。因此，长时间暴露在高温下必须被视为对驾驶员安全和健康的一种危害，也是导致RTA发生率增加的一个因素。
