Does Temperature Modify the Effects of Rain and Snow Precipitation on Road Traffic Injuries?
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- Lee Won-Kyung
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University
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- Lee Hye-Ah
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University
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- Hwang Seung-sik
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine
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- Kim Ho
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Seoul National University
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- Lim Youn-Hee
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Seoul National University of Medical Research Center, Seoul National University
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- Hong Yun-Chul
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Seoul National University
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- Ha Eun-Hee
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University
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- Park Hyesook
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University
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Abstract
Background: There are few data on the interaction between temperature and snow and rain precipitation, although they could interact in their effects on road traffic injuries.<BR>Methods: The integrated database of the Korea Road Traffic Authority was used to calculate the daily frequency of road traffic injuries in Seoul. Weather data included rain and snow precipitation, temperature, pressure, and fog from May 2007 to December 2011. Precipitation of rain and snow were divided into nine and six temperature range categories, respectively. The interactive effects of temperature and rain and snow precipitation on road traffic injuries were analyzed using a generalized additive model with a Poisson distribution.<BR>Results: The risk of road traffic injuries during snow increased when the temperature was below freezing. Road traffic injuries increased by 6.6% when it was snowing and above 0°C, whereas they increased by 15% when it was snowing and at or below 0°C. In terms of heavy rain precipitation, moderate temperatures were related to an increased prevalence of injuries. When the temperature was 0–20°C, we found a 12% increase in road traffic injuries, whereas it increased by 8.5% and 6.8% when it was <0°C and >20°C, respectively. The interactive effect was consistent across the traffic accident subtypes.<BR>Conclusions: The effect of adverse weather conditions on road traffic injuries differed depending on the temperature. More road traffic injuries were related to rain precipitation when the temperature was moderate and to snow when it was below freezing.
Journal
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- Journal of Epidemiology
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Journal of Epidemiology 25 (8), 544-552, 2015
Japan Epidemiological Association
