Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41276801›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2025

Night-time road traffic fatalities disproportionately affect male pedestrians in geographic hotspots.

Simpiwe Sobuwa, Benjamin De Waal

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Simpiwe SobuwaDepartment of Emergency Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health & Wellness Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Symphony Way, Bellville, Cape Town, 7560, South Africa. sobuwas@cput.ac.za.
Benjamin De WaalDepartment of Emergency Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health & Wellness Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Symphony Way, Bellville, Cape Town, 7560, South Africa.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRoad traffic accidents (RTAs) are a major public health concern, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. Despite having fewer vehicles per capita, Africa experiences the highest global road traffic fatality rates. This study examines demographic, temporal, and geographic patterns of fatal RTAs in Cape Town to inform targeted safety interventions.

methodsA retrospective analysis of Western Cape Government Health and Wellness Emergency Medical Services (WCGHW EMS) data (January 2021-May 2024) was conducted. Data included patient demographics, location, time, and accident type. Geospatial mapping using QGIS identified hotspots, and statistical analyses assessed relative risk and mortality trends.

resultsOf 784 RTA cases, 167 resulted in fatalities. Males accounted for 70.7% of deaths, and pedestrians comprised 65.3% of fatalities. Nighttime fatalities (51.5%) were significantly higher, with hotspot areas showing a two-fold increased mortality risk (RR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.61-2.72, p < 0.001).

conclusionThis study highlights demographic and pedestrian vulnerabilities, the heightened risk of nighttime fatalities, and the geographic concentration of fatal RTAs in Cape Town. Findings underscore the urgent need for improved pedestrian infrastructure, enhanced street lighting, and optimised emergency medical response strategies. Targeted safety interventions in high-risk areas can significantly reduce RTA fatalities. Further research should explore behavioural and environmental factors over longer timeframes to inform policy and practice.

Indexed as

Accidents, TrafficPedestriansAdolescentAdultAgedChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesSouth AfricaYoung AdultEmergency medical servicesGeospatial analysisNighttime fatalitiesPedestrian safetyRoad traffic accidents

Identifiers

PMID41276801
PMCPMC12853846

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.