0010 Epidemiology of road crash and accident fatalities among bus and truck drivers: vulnerable occupational group

• Published in: Occupational and environmental medicine (London, England) England), 2017-08, Vol.74 (Suppl 1), p.A2
• Main Author: Lu, Sophia Francesca
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Buses; Buses (vehicles); Crashes; Driver fatigue; Drivers; Driving ability; Drunkenness; Epidemiology; Fatalities; Government agencies; Human error; Occupational health; Occupational safety; Pedestrian safety; Pedestrians; Public transportation; Public utility districts; Roads; Sleep and wakefulness; Statistical analysis; Traffic accidents & safety; Traffic information; Traffic volume; Trucks
• ISSN: 1351-0711; 1470-7926
• DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2017-104636.4

AimThis study looked at occupational road crashes among truck and bus drivers in comparison to other drivers and motorists on the road of Metro Manila which is one of the cities with a high traffic density. One of the most precarious and risky occupations is driving especially buses used for public transportation, and trucks for commercial activities.MethodsThe study used meta-analysis of previous studies conducted, grey literature, government statistics, and validation through key database research in concerned national government agencies involved in road traffic from 2010–2015.ResultsThe study found that the in terms of the number of public utility vehicles registered in Metro Manila (2015), 51.27% were buses and 20.21% were trucks. Majority of the drivers worked more than 12 hours a day. In terms of time and peak of accidents, it is alarming to note that about 35% of the road crashes occurred from 22–23 gmt (2010–2015), and 30% from 23–24 (2010–2015) gmt. Human error accounted for the overwhelming cause of road crashes such as drunk driving, beating the red light, sleepiness, at 99.52% in 2012, 99.47% in 2013, 95.33% in 2014, and 97.19% in 2015.ConclusionThe study has shown how risky driving is as an occupation especially due to the work schedule. The study suggests developing better information, education and communication campaign and policies particularly on pedestrian safety, road safety, road-sharing concepts. Moreover, it is suggested that occupational health and safety among drivers as a special occupational group should be carried out.