Analysis of Child Pedestrian Deaths and Serious Injuries in Malaysia

Abstract

Vulnerable road users are at increased risk in many middle-income countries, largely due to rapid motorisation without associated road safety infrastructure initiatives and programs. Pedestrians are one of the most vulnerable road user groups, particularly young children. While crash patterns and causes of collisions amongst pedestrian are established in developing countries, less is known about crash patterns, types and contributing factors to pedestrian trauma in Malaysia. Analyses of fatal and serious injury child pedestrian crashes were undertaken by examining the police-reported crash database. The results identified high rates of pedestrian deaths overall, and high rates of serious injury amongst young children. Young children were at highest risk in rural areas, on major roads with relatively high speed limits and while they were playing on or attempting to cross the road without the aid of crossing facilities. Passenger vehicles and motorcycles were the most frequent striking vehicle. These findings have significant implications for countermeasures to address priority child pedestrian trauma issues in Malaysia including improved road design and reduced speeds on rural roads, as well as supporting education and enforcement initiatives.