A Multi-year Review of Major Off-Road Vehicle Injuries and Deaths in New Brunswick

TL;DR

This study examines off-road vehicle injuries in New Brunswick over eight years, finding that males, older individuals, and alcohol use are linked to more severe outcomes.

Contribution

The paper provides a detailed epidemiological analysis of off-road vehicle incidents in New Brunswick, highlighting risk factors and outcomes.

Findings

Most incidents involved all-terrain vehicles (67%) and snowmobiles (33%).

Alcohol use was reported in 54.2% of tested cases.

Older age and intoxication predicted longer hospital stays and ICU admission.

Abstract

Introduction: Off-road vehicles are widely used in Canada, especially in rural areas. Despite their popularity, there is limited data on off-road vehicle-related injuries, particularly in New Brunswick (NB). The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of off-road vehicle incidents in NB, focusing on frequency, severity, and factors associated with morbidity over an eight-year period (2014-2021).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study using data from the New Brunswick Trauma Registry, which includes all patients admitted to level 1, 2, and 3 trauma centers with severe injuries. We analyzed data on demographics, incident characteristics, substance use, helmet use, and outcomes. Regression analyses assessed factors predicting intensive care unit admission and hospital length of stay.

Results: Between December 2014 and December 2021, 681 patients recorded in the trauma registry were involved in off-road vehicle incidents. The median age of these patients was 38.0 years, with 533 patients (78.3%) identified as male and 77 (11.3%) under 18 years old. All-terrain vehicles were involved in 456 (67%) of the incidents, while 225 (33%) involved snowmobiles. Among those tested, 176 (54.2%) had used alcohol, and 390 (57.3%) had used a helmet. The most frequent types of incidents included off-road travel incidents (43.3%) and rollovers (23.5%). The median Injury Severity Score was 13, and the median hospital length of stay was four days. Regression analysis showed that older age and intoxication were significant predictors of longer hospital stays and increased likelihood of admission to the intensive care unit.

Conclusion: This study describes factors associated with off-road vehicle incidents in New Brunswick. Off-road vehicle trauma in New Brunswick presents a considerable public health challenge, with the male gender, older age, and substance use associated with increased morbidity. Effective injury prevention requires a multifaceted approach, including enhanced education, stricter regulations, and improved enforcement to mitigate the risks associated with off-road vehicle (ORV) use.