Patterns of road traffic fatalities in the six most populous provinces of Iran, 2011-2015

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the traffic safety condition as well as monthly pattern of fatalities in the six most populated provinces in Iran. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive study. The data pertaining to fatalities and injuries during 2011-2015 were obtained from Iran Legal Medicine Organization. Results: Fatalities per 100,000 population in Kerman and Fars were significantly higher than the other four provinces, and Tehran had the lowest fatality rate per 100,000 population. To control for exposure, the number of fatalities per 100 injuries was calculated as an indicator of crash severity in the six provinces. The crashes were found to be more severe in Kerman (7.72 fatalities per 100 injuries) and Fars (5.97 fatalities per 100 injuries) compared to the other four provinces. Moreover, monthly pattern of fatalities was found to be significantly different among the six provinces. Conclusion: Results revealed several differences in the fatality patterns with the Kerman and Fars provinces having the most critical situation in the road safety among the six provinces. This could be due to the differences among these provinces in (1) quality and quantity of emergency and medical services, (2) road safety status, or (3) the share of vulnerable road user fatalities. Finally, our results suggest that to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of policies and countermeasure regarding traffic safety, policy-makers should consider the differences in the safety status and fatality patterns at provincial level