In 2018, for every billion kilometers travelled by a motor vehicle in Canada there were 4.9 fatalities and 390 total injuries (including 24.2 serious injuries). The risk of travel in rural communities is greater than urban areas. Despite rural areas accounting for only 18% of the population, 54% of fatal motor vehicle collisions in Canada occur on rural roads. The danger of rural roads has been attributed to multiple factors including greater distances to medical facilities, inclement weather, higher speed limits, animal crossings, poor lighting, and poor maintenance.
Screening is important for disease prevention. It is important to weigh the risk of transportation with the benefit of the test, patient specific risk factors and patient preferences. Arranging screening tests when the patient is already visiting the centre for another reason is efficient.
For more information:
Bell, N., Simons, R.K., Lakha, N. & Hameed, S.M. Are we failing our rural communities? Motor vehicle injury in British Columbia, Canada, 2001-2007. Injury. 2011 Jul;43(11), 1888-1891. PMID: 21839445.
Osmun, W. E., Copeland, J., & Boisvert, L. Mammography screening: how far is too far? Rural and Remote Health. 2013 Feb; 13 (1), 2149. PMID: 23406261.
Transport Canada. Rural Roads [Internet]. 2013.
Transport Canada. Canadian Motor Vehicle Traffic Collision Statistics: 2018 [Internet]. 2018.