The anatomical sites and severities of the injuriee received-by 932 motorcycliets, pedestrians and cyclists are described, using a sample consisting of all road accident casualties brought to one large accident hospital over a one year period in 1974/75.
Almost a third of these unprotected road users were deta-ined in hospital. Pedestrians were detained most frequently but motorcyclists were detained for longer. No bicyclist etayed in hospital for more than three months.
The study shows that although there were differences in the distribution of injury for the three different road user groups, in all three the lower leg was the part of the body most commonly receiving severe injury.
The nature and location of injuries classified AIS 3 and above are discussed with reference to their clinical importance in terms of duration of stay in hospital; and for injuries to the head, neck, chest or abdomen of AIS 4 or above in relation to threat to life. These are the typea of injury it would seem most worthwhile to attempt to mitigate or to prevent.