Trends in Motor Vehicle Accidents in the Taiwan Area

1986 Vol.2 NO.12

Correspondence Author：

Abstract：

Since 1970, accidents have been the third leading cause of mortality in the Taiwan Area ranking only behind cancer and cerebrovascular diseae in relative importance. However, accidents primarily a(Tect young individuals and are the leading cause of mortality for all age groups under 45 years. Assuming all persons should live a productive life until age 65 years, we can compare the relative importance of diseases and conditions which result in “premature” mortality. This measure of premature mortality has been called “years of polential life lost before age 65”, or YPLL1. For example, the death of a 35 year-old motor vehicle accident (MVA) victim would result in a loss of 30 years of potential life. In contrast, the death of a 64 year-old heart attack victim would result in the loss of only one year of potential life. Comparing the amount of premature mortality caused by diseases and conditions, accidents emerge as the leading cause of YPLL in the Taiwan Area (Figure I).