Effects of the 65-mph speed limit on rural interstate fatalities in New Mexico

Article Abstract:

The rate of motor vehicle fatalities in New Mexico has consistently been among the highest in the nation; in 1987 motor vehicle fatalities were 70 percent greater than the national average (33.7 versus 19.9 per 100,000 population). The highway death rate during the period when the speed limit on the nation's roads was 55 mph is compared to the period when the new federal law allowed states to increase the speed limit on rural interstate highways to 65 mph. Data on fatal crashes was obtained from the New Mexico Traffic Safety Bureau which receives police reports of any crash with a fatality, injury or $250 in property damage. The rate of fatal accidents during the first year of the 65 mph speed limit was increased to 2.9 fatal accidents for each 100 million vehicle-miles traveled. This rate exceeded the predicted value for fatal crashes for the previous five year period by nearly 100 percent (1.5 per 100 million vehicle miles). The study examined other factors and parameters of the accidents including age and sex of drivers, use of seat belts, and alcohol consumption; no significant change was found in any of these risk factors. Most of the fatal crashes could be directly related to an increase in the number of motor vehicle accidents of single occupant cars driven at or above the new 65 mph speed limit. The data presented in this article strongly suggest that the benefits of increased automotive speed must be evaluated in light of the significant association with the increased rate of fatalities. Continued monitoring of these statistics in New Mexico and other states will be necessary before a trend seen in a single state can be generally confirmed and applied elsewhere.

Laws, regulations and rules, Statistics, Crash injuries, Speed limits, Traffic accidents, Freeways, Highways

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Mandatory reporting of occupational diseases by clinicians

Article Abstract:

The reporting of occupational disease, also called occupational disease surveillance, is vital for identification and prevention of occupational injuries and diseases. Unfortunately, the requirements for reporting occupational disease are determined by individual states and reporting requirements vary significantly among them. Even when there is an obligation to report, compliance may be poor. The bulk of this report is composed of tables and schedules that reveal the specific requirements in each of the 50 states. The history of reporting occupational diseases and injuries is also included. A list of occupational diseases was developed (the Sentinel Health Events; Occupational) or SHE(O) and linked to a code in the International Classification of Diseases Adapted for Use in the United States, Ninth Revision (1975). These codes may allow hospital discharge records and other pertinent data to be coded more accurately and more consistently. Although disjointed and irregular, the occupational disease surveillance system is important and greatly needed. A coherent and uniform reporting system could improve employee health by more rapidly gathering information that could be used to bring about preventive measures in the work environment.

Reports, Occupational diseases

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Pedestrian and hypothermia deaths among Native Americans in New Mexico: between bar and home

Article Abstract:

Native Americans who travel long distances on foot to obtain alcohol may be at risk for accidental death from in pedestrian-motor vehicle crashes or hypothermia. A study of New Mexico residents who died from accidental injuries over a nine-year period found that Native Americans were eight times more likely to die in pedestrian-motor vehicle crashes, and 30 times more likely to die from hypothermia than other residents. Of 1,585 Native Americans who died from accidental injuries, 347 died from pedestrian-motor vehicle crashes, and 166 died from hypothermia. Ninety percent of Native Americans who died in pedestrian-motor vehicle crashes or from hypothermia and were tested for blood alcohol levels were highly intoxicated. Sixty-seven percent of pedestrian or hypothermic deaths occurred outside the reservation. The sale of alcohol is illegal on many reservations so Native Americans must travel long distances to buy alcohol.

Patient outcomes, Mortality, Native Americans, Native North Americans, New Mexico

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