Clinically Seriously Injured (MAIS3+) Road Casualties in Northern Ireland 1999 to 2023 has been published today
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Date published:
Clinically seriously injured (MAIS 3+) casualties in Northern Ireland, 1999-2023 has been produced by Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch (ASRB).
The MAIS 3+ data included in this report are produced using casualty admissions to hospitals in Northern Ireland, between 1999 and 2023, with a clinically defined serious injury following a road traffic collision.
The publication is available on the ASRB website at:
Key Points
- In 2023 there were 66 MAIS3+ casualties – this is an increase of 12% over the year and a decrease of 72% from the peak of 235 in 2002.
- While the numbers of MAIS3+ casualties are lower than PSNI reported seriously injured, the overall trends are similar: both series have shown a historical decrease followed by signs of levelling off, but with increases in more recent years.
- Males accounted for seven-tenths (69%) of MAIS3+ casualties in Northern Ireland in the five years from 2019-2023. This is greater than the proportions for male casualties reported in overall hospital admissions (67%) and PSNI serious injuries (62%).
- Over one quarter (26%) of MAIS3+ casualties from 2019-2023 were aged 70 and over. This differs markedly from the age profile of overall hospital admissions for road traffic collisions and PSNI serious injuries, where 14% and 11%, respectively, were in this age band.
- Overall, 11% of hospital admissions for road traffic collisions in the five years 2019-2023 have injuries classified as MAIS3+; however, the proportions differ slightly by road user type, ranging from 9% of pedal cyclists having MAIS3+ injuries to 13% of pedestrians and 14% of other road users. 11% of car user and motorcyclist hospital admissions have injuries classified as MAIS3+.
- Comparing the number of hospital admissions to police reported serious injuries we see that a significant proportion (24% over the 25 years 1999-2023) of SI casualties are not known to the police; however, this historic underreporting has changed in recent years. In every year since 2020 the number of PSNI Serious Injures have exceeded hospital admissions. In the most recent five-year period (2019-2023) PSNI Serious Injuries exceeded Hospital admissions by 22%.
Notes to editors:
Clinically seriously injured (MAIS 3+) casualties in Northern Ireland, 1999-2023 have been produced using data on road casualties admitted to hospital in Northern Ireland as well as data on road casualties in road traffic collisions reported to the PSNI.
- The majority of the data within the report derives from the Department of Health Hospital Admissions data and is typically based on the period 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2023. The report first looks at the overall trend in MAIS 3+ casualty numbers, and then examines the profile of casualties (gender, age, road user type) in the last five years. A comparison with PSNI reported serious injuries for road traffic collisions is also presented.
- The Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) is the clinical measure used to classify and describe the severity of injuries; it represents the threat to life associated with the injury. A score of 1 indicates a minor injury, while 6 refers to an unsurvivable injury. A casualty that sustains an injury with a score of 3 or higher on the AIS is classified as clinically seriously injured (MAIS 3+).
- The information in this publication can be used to make international comparisons of the numbers of people that are seriously injured as a result of road traffic collisions. The MAIS 3+ clinical definition of a serious injury is currently recommended by the EU, rather than police reported data, because there are significant differences in the grading of severity of injury that are applied in police data in each country
- Further information and electronic copies of Clinically seriously injured (MAIS 3+) casualties in Northern Ireland, 1999-2023 are available at: Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch, 1st Floor, James House, Gasworks Site, 2-4 Cromac Avenue, Belfast, BT7 2JA. Telephone: (028) 9034 6270 (Text relay prefix 18001). E-mail: asrb@nisra.gov.uk. Website: DfI Statistics and Research.
ASRB advise customers to make contact through email or by telephone.
- All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.