HPD aims to reduce fatal car crashes by The Star-Advertiser

Posted on Dec 26, 2014 in All IPCS News, IPCS core, traffic safety

Dan Galanis, epidemiologist for the Department of Health’s Injury Prevention and Control Section discusses vehicle occupant and pedestrian injury deaths in Hawaii with The Star-Advertiser.

 

“During that period about 45 percent of traffic deaths in Hawaii were alcohol-related, 49 percent of vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes were not wearing seat belts and 47 percent of fatal traffic crashes involved at least one driver who was speeding, according to Dan Gala­nis, a state epidemiologist at the Department of Health.

Galanis of the Health Department said on average, 123 people died in crashes every year in Hawaii during a five-year period, 2009-13. In the preceeding five years, an average of 148 people died every year.

Galanis attributed the lower average, in part, to safety improvements in newer vehicles. Road improvements, educational campaigns and advancements in trauma care might also be tied to the decrease.

During the same periods, however, there was an increase in motorcycle and moped fatalities, Galanis said. There were 141 moped/motorcycle deaths, 2009-13; and 176 deaths in the earlier period.“

 

Source: HPD aims to reduce fatal car crashes by Star-Advertiser

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Dec 26, 2014

 

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