Characteristics of injuries related to traffic crashes in Israel before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

This study explored differences in patient characteristics, injury characteristics, treatment modalities, and treatment outcomes among patients who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) following traffic crashes during the COVID-19 period (from March 15, 2020 to March 15, 2022) in comparison to the previous corresponding period between 2017 and 2019. The study is a retrospective chart review study. The study included a random sample of 610 patients who presented to the ED of a major hospital located in northern-central Israel following traffic crashes: 305 patients who presented during the COVID-19 period (from March 15, 2020 to March 15, 2022) and 305 patients who presented during the previous corresponding period (from March 15, 2017 to March 15, 2019). Socio-demographic data, data regarding the traffic crashes, and medical data of the patients were collected from their medical records, and the data were compared. In the context of the COVID-19 period, a notable surge in the percentage of cyclist victims was evident, marking an increase from 7.5% to 19% compared to the corresponding period. Conversely, the incidence of pedestrian victims during the COVID-19 period dropped to 19.7%, in contrast to 30.8% in the corresponding period. Notably, patients involved in pedestrian crashes amid the COVID-19 period exhibited a shorter hospital stay (M = 2.8 days, SD = 3.3) compared to the corresponding period (M = 4.3 days, SD = 7.1) [t = 1.8 (df = 141), p < 0.05]. However, a higher fatality rate was observed among these patients during the COVID-19 period compared to the corresponding period (6.7% vs. 0%) [χ2 = 6.4 (df = 1), p < 0.05]. The study reveals significant changes in traffic crashes characteristics during the pandemic period, including a notable increase in cyclist victims and a decrease in pedestrian incidents. These shifts may be attributed to factors such as changes in transportation patterns, increased use of bicycles for essential travel. Despite these changes, the proportion of severe crashes remained relatively consistent. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the underlying causes behind these shifts and highlight the ongoing need for public education and awareness initiatives to promote traffic safety, particularly for vulnerable road users, during pandemic periods.

本研究对比了2020年3月15日至2022年3月15日新冠疫情期间，与2017-2019年同期因道路交通事故前往急诊科（Emergency Department，ED）就诊的患者，在人口特征、损伤特征、治疗方式及治疗结局上的差异。本研究为回顾性病历审查研究。
研究纳入以色列中北部某大型医院急诊科收治的610名道路交通事故就诊患者的随机样本，其中新冠疫情期间（2020年3月15日至2022年3月15日）305例，2017-2019年同期305例。研究人员从患者的病历中提取社会人口学数据、道路交通事故相关数据及患者医学数据，并开展对比分析。
新冠疫情期间，骑行者受害者占比显著攀升，从2017-2019年同期的7.5%升至19%。与之相反，疫情期间行人受害者占比降至19.7%，而2017-2019年同期该比例为30.8%。值得注意的是，疫情期间涉及行人碰撞事故的患者，其住院时长较同期更短（均值M=2.8天，标准差SD=3.3），同期该指标为均值M=4.3天，标准差SD=7.1）[t=1.8（自由度df=141），p<0.05]。但疫情期间该类患者的死亡率更高（6.7% vs 0%）[χ²=6.4（自由度df=1），p<0.05]。
本研究揭示了疫情期间道路交通事故特征的显著变化，包括骑行者受害者占比显著上升、行人事故占比下降。这类变化或与出行模式改变、为满足必要出行而更多使用自行车等因素相关。尽管出现上述变化，严重道路交通事故的占比仍相对稳定。本研究结果凸显了厘清此类变化背后潜在诱因的重要性，并强调在疫情期间仍需持续开展公共教育与宣传活动，以提升道路交通安全意识，尤其针对弱势道路使用者。