[Study of road traffic injuries risk factors by geographic information system [GIS] in 2009]

ABSTRACT

Using Geographical Information System [GIS] can decreases the burden of road traffic injuries effectively by identification of hot spot to modification in hazardous areas. The aim of the study was determining geographical distribution of human risk factors associated with road traffic injuries by using Geographical Information System [GIS] in Iran. The national database of road traffic injuries registered by the Iranian traffic Police [Rahvar NAJA] was used. The human risk factors were investigated by recognition of the hazardous points and geographical distribution of associated risk factors. The Hot Spot Analysis and Map clustering approaches were employed to meet the objectives. The mean age of injured subjects was 34 years and the most affected age group was 20-39 years. Death and injury occurrence within out of cities ways were 0.3% and 28% respectively. Geographical distribution of risk factors also showed that roads of Northern provinces i.e. [Gilaan and Mazandaran] were the hazardous rising as well as Qazvin to Rasht and Qom to Tehran roads. Sistan and Balochestan Provinces and Tehran had the highest [4.8%] and the lowest [0.1%] rates of road traffic injuries leading to death in the country. Northern provinces and its leading axes by hazardous rising and Sistan and Balochestan province with fatal injuries need to identify the cause of injuries' and, if necessary, more tighten regulations and more controls by the traffic police must be applied.