The consequences of adopting a MAIS 3 injury target for road safety in the EU: A comparison with targets based on fatalities and long-term consequences

It has been proposed in the European Union (EU) to adopt a Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale (MAIS) of 3 or greater as the basis for a road safety target. To have a common definition of serious injury across the EU is in itself very positive. In this study, fatalities, MAIS 3+, MAIS 2+ and injuries leading to permanent medical impairment (PMI) were used to identify problem scenarios. A national data set of injuries reported to Swedish hospitals from 2007 to 2012 (STRADA) was used. Police-reported injuries were also taken into account. The results showed that, depending on the data source and injury rating method, problem scenarios differed substantially. While fatalities were dominated by vehicle occupants in high-speed environments, vulnerable road users in urban areas were in greater focus as a result of lowered thresholds for injury or impairment levels. Bicyclists in particular have many injuries at less severe, yet significant, levels. There is a particular need to consider certain diagnoses which lead, relatively often, to long-term consequences at the AIS 1 level. To achieve a better injury and consequence scenario, data from the medical system are an essential prerequisite.