Guidelines for Sustainable Development in the Care of Road Traffic Accident Victims in Thailand

Abstract

This research aims to study the guidelines for sustainable development in the care of road traffic accident victims in Thailand. It employs a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative research. The quantitative research utilizes secondary data, including document reviews, statistics from relevant agencies, and previous research studies. The qualitative research gathers primary data through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The study reveals that, during the study period, a total of 2,676,919 Thai individuals were injured or killed in road traffic accidents, with a declining trend observed from 595,946 cases in 2018 to 467,259 cases in 2022. The highest number of injuries and fatalities occurred in Health Region 6 (299,450 cases), followed by Health Region 1 (294,117 cases) and Health Region 5 (249,665 cases). The cumulative number of deaths from road traffic accidents during 2018–2022 was 92,002. The number of fatalities decreased from 19,931 in 2018 to 17,379 in 2022. The mortality rate per 100,000 population also declined from 30.47 in 2018 to 26.65 in 2022. The study highlights that individual aged 15–24 years, both males and females, are the most affected group in terms of injuries and fatalities. Males have a fatality and injury rate twice as high as females. Risky behaviors contributing to accidents include not wearing helmets, not fastening seat belts, and alcohol consumption.

          The highest numbers of outpatient cases due to road traffic accidents were recorded in Health Regions 6, 1, and 5, respectively. These regions are economically significant due to industrial transportation activities and major highways passing through. Therefore, safety interventions should target high-risk areas, and the capacity of the care system for road traffic accident victims must be enhanced. The study also finds that the emergency medical systems in the northern and central regions, including Health Regions 6 and 1, are at a "basic level" of development. This indicates a need for further development to ensure that people in these areas have equitable access to standardized services across the country.