A matched case-control study evaluating the effectiveness of speed humps in reducing child pedestrian injuries

Objectives. We evaluated the protective effectiveness of speed humps in reducing child pedestrian injuries in residential neighborhoods. Methods. We conducted a matched case-control study over a 5-year period among children seen in a pediatric emergency department after being struck by an automobile. Results. A multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis showed that speed humps were associated with lower odds of children being injured within their neighborhood (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=0.47) and being struck in front of their home (adjusted OR= 0.40). Ethnicity (but not socioeconomic status) was independently associated with child pedestrian injuries and was adjusted for in the regression model. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that speed humps make children's living environments safer.