OBJECTIVETo explore the pattern of road traffic injuries (RTI) in China and to furnish evidence to formulate strategy and measures to improve RTI.

METHODSUsing the data from the National Statistical Office, Ministry of Communications and the Traffic Administration bureau, factors as the time trends, features and risk factors of RTI were analysed for all provinces in China.

RESULTSOver the past 51 years, RTI have increased more than 100-fold. The fatality rate of RTI was up to 8.51 per 100 000 population in 2001, almost doubled for the past ten years. In the past decade, the deaths of RTI always held in the front fifth rank in Guangdong, Shandong and Zhejiang. Calculating mortal coefficient (MC) to evaluate the severity of RTI, Tibet, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Ningxia and Gansu stood the worst. The 26 - 45 years age-group represented the majority of all fatalities and overall casualties, and the age-group over 65-year olds having an increased trend in China. The main risk factors of RTI were road quality, motorization, volume of traffic transportation, maldriving and the behaviors of pedestrians.

CONCLUSIONSThe main means to reduce RTI would include: improving road traffic environment, setting road safety rules and securing compliance, changing perception, understanding and practice traffic safety.