When Pedestrian Crossings Become Danger Zones: Trauma and Mortality Risks in Elderly Pedestrians

Peter Pavol, Vasileios Topalis, Sofia-Chrysovalantou Zagalioti, Olha Kuzyo, Martin Müller, Aristomenis K. Exadaktylos, Mairi Ziaka and Jolanta Klukowska-Rötzler ()
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Peter Pavol: Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
Vasileios Topalis: Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
Sofia-Chrysovalantou Zagalioti: Department of Emergency Medicine, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
Olha Kuzyo: Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
Martin Müller: Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
Aristomenis K. Exadaktylos: Academic Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Cyprus, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
Mairi Ziaka: Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
Jolanta Klukowska-Rötzler: Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 10, 1-24

Abstract: Aim: Older adult pedestrians are at greater risk of severe injuries than younger pedestrians due to gradual physical changes and coexisting medical conditions. This leads to longer hospital stays, increased mortality risk, and higher inpatient costs. Focusing on the aging population, this study explores the characteristics and injury profiles of pedestrian crossing accidents in the capital city of Bern, Switzerland. Methods: Our retrospective cohort study comprised adult patients admitted to our ED between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2023, as crossing (or zebra crossing)-related pedestrian victims. Two cohorts were formed on the basis of age < 65 and ≥65 years and compared according to the setting of the accident, type, pattern of the injury, and clinical outcomes (short-term mortality, ICU/hospital length of stay). Results: Of a total of 124 patients, 31.5% (n = 39) of patients were elderly (65+ group). In contrast to the younger patients, the aging population was predominantly admitted as inpatients (64.1% vs. 35.3%, p = 0.001) and was hospitalised in the intensive care unit (20.5% vs. 6%, p = 0.020). Older patients were more likely to be polytraumatised (41% vs. 11.8%, p = 0.001) and to have been tossed or hurled than patients under 65 years (75% vs. 47.3%, p = 0.016). Fractures of the upper extremities (17.9% vs. 4.7%, p = 0.016), pelvis (30.8% vs. 9.4%, p = 0.003), and thoracic spine (12.8% vs. 2.4%, p = 0.019) were significantly more common in the elderly population. Intracranial haemorrhage (35.9% vs. 17.6%, p = 0.026), abdominal trauma (17.9% vs. 5.9%, p = 0.035), and relevant vessel damage (30.8% vs. 3.5%, p < 0.001) were also significantly higher in geriatric patients. Trauma indices were slightly more increased in the older population than in the younger group (ISS; p = 0.004 and AIS > 2 of chest and thoracic spine; abdomen, pelvic contents, and lumbar spine; extremities & bony pelvis p < 0.05). The 65+ group had a longer length of hospital stay ( p = 0.001) and ICU stay ( p = 0.002). A hospital stay longer than 7 days was also significantly more common in elderly individuals ( p = 0.007). In-hospital (15.4% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.001) and 30-day mortality (17.9% vs. 1.2%, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in patients over 65 years of age. Conclusion: In our study, the impact of pedestrian crossing accidents was more severe in the elderly, as indicated by the severity of injuries, hospitalisation rate, longer length of hospital and ICU stays, and higher mortality rates. These findings underline the importance of developing tailored strategies to reduce crosswalk accidents and to optimise management approaches for these vulnerable patients.

Keywords: aging population; crosswalk accidents; elderly; pedestrians; zebra crossings (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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