Vehicles reversing or rolling backwards: an underestimated hazard.

OBJECTIVES A retrospective analysis of injuries caused by vehicles that were reversing or rolling backwards to establish guidelines for prevention was performed. PATIENTS AND METHODS Medical records and questionnaires completed by parents for 32 children admitted to the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Graz, within the past eight years, were analysed. RESULTS The median age was 2.1 years (1.0-14.0 years). Fourteen of 32 of the cars were driven by family members (43.8%); three were rolling backwards without a driver (9.4%). The median injury severity score was 3 (1-27) and the most common injuries were contusions (40.6%), fractures (31.3%), and lacerations/burns (21.9%). Most incidents occurred in driveways (37.5%) or farmyards (21.9%). Altogether 70.3% of children sustained "run-over" injuries, 29.6% were hit by the rear bumper or injured by a breaking window. CONCLUSIONS Toddlers playing in driveways or farmyards are at risk of a injury caused by reversing vehicles/vehicles rolling backwards.