Winter slip-and-fall accidents in Finland: characteristics and views on their prevention
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55329/wtgp9098Keywords:
injury, pedestrian fall, pedestrian single accident, safety, traffic safety, winterAbstract
Outdoor falls, such as winter slip-and-fall accidents, represent a substantial pedestrian safety issue in countries with cold and snowy winters like Finland. Such falls are typically not considered traffic accidents nor are they included in traffic safety policy objectives or accident statistics. This survey study aimed to explore experiences of winter slip-and-fall accidents in Finland, estimate their frequency and investigate views regarding their prevention to inform efforts aiming to increase the role of walking. Data was collected with an online survey directed to Finnish residents (n=1,215), which queried the characteristics of slip-and-falls occurring during the winter of 2020–2021, their consequences, and views regarding their prevention. The results suggest that slip-and-falls occur often in Finland, with just over one third of respondents having experienced at least one. Slip-and-falls frequently occurred on yards or pavements and in icy or snowy conditions, and frequently reported contributing factors include unexpected slippery spots on the walking surface, poor winter maintenance and poor footwear traction. Respondents considered improved winter maintenance and using appropriate footwear, such as anti-slip devices, as important ways to prevent falls. The results suggest that the walking during winter in Finland is not safe, and a combination of personal and public measures could result in the most effective strategy to prevent slip-and-falls. The omission of slip-and-fall accidents from traffic safety policy arguably results in a misleading image of pedestrian safety. The results of this study support the inclusion of pedestrian falls as pedestrian single accidents.
Downloads
Author Biographies
Johannes Mesimäki, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., Finland
Johannes Mesimäki is a research scientist at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. His research mainly concerns road safety and the advancement of sustainable mobility. His research has related to the safety of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists, as well as novel transport technologies such as views on micromobility vehicles.
CRediT contribution: Formal analysis, Methodology, Visualization, Writing—original draft.
Fanny Malin, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., Finland
Fanny Malin is leading the Transport system research team at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. Her main expertise is traffic safety, and her research includes both impacts of changes in infrastructure as well as impacts of new technologies such as automated driving, driver support systems and ITS. Fanny Malin has a D.Sc. degree in transport engineering from Aalto University.
CRediT contribution: Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Methodology, Project administration, Supervision, Writing—review & editing.
Merja Penttinen, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., Finland
Merja Penttinen works as principal scientist in the Transport System research team at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland ltd. She has over 20 years’ experience in traffic safety, human factors and impact assessment of various ITS systems, CCAM and more traditional interventions in traffic.
CRediT contribution: Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Methodology, Project administration, Supervision, Writing—review & editing.
References
Abeysekera, J., & Gao, C. (2001). The identification of factors in the systematic evaluation of slip prevention on icy surfaces. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 28(5), 303–313. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-8141(01)00027-0
Aldman, B., Forsström, Å., & Samuelsson, U. (1975). Commuting accidents in the Stockholm region 1971. Proceedings of the Meeting on the Mechanics of Injury, 260–269.
Alessio, H. M., Bassett, D. R., Bopp, M. J., Parr, B. B., Patch, G. S., Rankin, J. W., Rojas-Rueda, D., Roti, M. W., & Wojcik, J. R. (2021). Climate Change, Air Pollution, and Physical Inactivity: Is Active Transportation Part of the Solution? Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 53(6), 1170–1178. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000002569
Amin, K., Adl-Zarrabi, B., Andersson, O., Kovaceva, J., Andersson, M., Sawaya, B., Nilson, F., & Carlsson, A. (2024, May 28). Injury reducing effect of GSHP-heated pedestrian paths. 2024 Research Conference Proceedings of the IGSHPA. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22488/okstate.24.000024
Amin, K., Skyving, M., Bonander, C., Krafft, M., & Nilson, F. (2022). Fall- and collision-related injuries among pedestrians in road traffic environment – A Swedish national register-based study. Journal of Safety Research, 81, 153–165. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2022.02.007
Anttila, V. (2001). Talvijalankulku, liukastumistapaturmat ja kelitiedottamisen kehittäminen (No. 2110; VTT Tiedotteita - Meddelanden - Research Notes). VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.
Bärwolff, M., & Gerike, R. (2024). Pedestrian’s travel distances and risk of falls in snowy and icy conditions in German cities. Traffic Safety Research, 6, e000059. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55329/tled9982
Bärwolff, M., Reinartz, A., & Gerike, R. (2022). Correlates of Pedestrian and Cyclist Falls in Snowy and Icy Conditions. Transactions on Transport Sciences, 12(3), 67–77. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5507/tots.2021.007
Bentley, T. A., & Haslam, R. A. (1998). Slip, trip and fall accidents occurring during the delivery of mail. Ergonomics, 41(12), 1859–1872. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/001401398186027
Berggård, G., & Johansson, C. (2010). Pedestrians in wintertime—Effects of using anti-slip devices. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 42(4), 1199–1204. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2010.01.011
Bergland, A., Jarnlo, G.-B., & Laake, K. (2003). Predictors of falls in the elderly by location. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 15(1), 43–50. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03324479
Berntman, M. (2015). Fotgängares olyckor och skador i trafikmiljö med fokus på fallolyckor (Vol. 295). Lunds universitet, LTH, instutionen för teknik och samhälle, trafik och väg.
Björnstig, U., Björnstig, J., & Dahlgren, A. (1997). Slipping on ice and snow—Elderly women and young men are typical victims. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 29(2), 211–215. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0001-4575(96)00074-7
Bonander, C., & Holmberg, R. (2019). Estimating the effects of a studded footwear subsidy program on pedestrian falls among older adults in Gothenburg, Sweden. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 132, 105282. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2019.105282
Callegaro, M., Baker, R., Bethlehem, J., Göritz, A. S., Krosnick, J. A., & Lavrakas, P. J. (2014). Online panel research. In Online Panel Research (pp. 1–22). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118763520.ch1
Chapman, L. (2007). Transport and climate change: A review. Journal of Transport Geography, 15(5), 354–367. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2006.11.008
Cordellieri, P., Baralla, F., Ferlazzo, F., Sgalla, R., Piccardi, L., & Giannini, A. M. (2016). Gender Effects in Young Road Users on Road Safety Attitudes, Behaviors and Risk Perception. Frontiers in Psychology, 7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01412
Ekbrand, H., Ekman, R., Thodelius, C., & Möller, M. (2020). Fall-related injuries for three ages groups – Analysis of Swedish registry data 1999–2013. Journal of Safety Research, 73, 143–152. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2020.02.016
Elvik, R., & Bjørnskau, T. (2019). Risk of pedestrian falls in Oslo, Norway: Relation to age, gender and walking surface condition. Journal of Transport & Health, 12, 359–370. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2018.12.006
Elvik, R., Høye, A., Vaa, T., & Sørensen, M. (2009). Road Maintenance. In The Handbook of Road Safety Measures (pp. 335–395). Emerald Group Publishing Limited. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/9781848552517-008
Ettinger, B., Black, D. M., Mitlak, B. H., Knickerbocker, R. K., Nickelsen, T., Genant, H. K., Christiansen, C., Delmas, P. D., Zanchetta, J. R., Stakkestad, J., Glüer, C. C., Krueger, K., Cohen, F. J., Eckert, S., Ensrud, K. E., Avioli, L. V., Lips, P., Cummings, S. R., & for the Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation (MORE) Investigators. (1999). Reduction of Vertebral Fracture Risk in Postmenopausal Women With Osteoporosis Treated With RaloxifeneResults From a 3-Year Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA, 282(7), 637–645. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/00006254-200001000-00021
Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK. (2019). The ethical principles of research with human participants and the ethical review in the human sciences in Finland (No. 3/2019; Publications of the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK).
Finnish Road Safety Council. (2021). Pysy pystyssä: Tuloksia Liikenneturvan kyselystä 14.1.2021.
Finnish Road Safety Council. (2023). Do not fall − the risks of slipping increase with age.
Fossum, M. (2022). Winter walking [Doctoral thesis, Norwegian University of Science and Technology].
Gao, C., & Abeysekera, J. (2004). A systems perspective of slip and fall accidents on icy and snowy surfaces. Ergonomics, 47(5), 573–598. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130410081658718
Gard, G., & Lundborg, G. (2000). Pedestrians on slippery surfaces during winter—Methods to describe the problems and practical tests of anti-skid devices. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 32(3), 455–460. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0001-4575(99)00070-6
Grönqvist, R., Chang, W.-R., Courtney, T. K., Leamon, T. B., Redfern, M. S., & Strandberg, L. (2001). Measurement of slipperiness: Fundamental concepts and definitions. Ergonomics, 44(13), 1102–1117. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130110085529
Gyllencreutz, L., Björnstig, J., Rolfsman, E., & Saveman, B.-I. (2015). Outdoor pedestrian fall-related injuries among Swedish senior citizens – injuries and preventive strategies. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 29(2), 225–233. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/scs.12153
Hautala, R., & Leviäkangas, P. (2007). Effectiveness of Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) services (No. 665; VTT Publications). VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.
Hippi, M., Hartonen, S., & Hirvonen, M. (2017). Työmatkatapaturmien vähentäminen kelivaroitusmallia kehittämällä (No. 2017:3; Raportteja). Finnish Meteorological Institute.
Hippi, M., & Kangas, M. (2022). Impact of Weather on Pedestrians’ Slip Risk. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(5), Article 5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19053007
Hippi, M., Kangas, M., Ruuhela, R., Ruotsalainen, J., & Hartonen, S. (2020). RoadSurf-Pedestrian: A sidewalk condition model to predict risk for wintertime slipping injuries. Meteorological Applications, 27(5), e1955. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/met.1955
Holmberg, R., Gustavsson, J., Svensson, M., & Bonander, C. (2022). Ice cleat distribution programmes and ice cleat use among older adults: Repeated cross-sectional evidence from 63 municipal interventions in Sweden. Injury Prevention, 28(6), 539–544. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/ip-2022-044681
Hsu, J., Shaw, R., Novak, A., Li, Y., Ormerod, M., Newton, R., Dutta, T., & Fernie, G. (2016). Slip resistance of winter footwear on snow and ice measured using maximum achievable incline. Ergonomics, 59(5), 717–728. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2015.1084051
Husu, P., Sievänen, H., Tokola, K., Suni, J., Vähä-Ypyä, H., Mänttäri, A., & Vasankari, T. (2018). The objectively measured physical activity, sedentary behavior and physical fitness of Finns (No. 2018:30; Publications of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Finland, p. 57).
IEA. (2023). Energy Statistics Data Browser. Paris.
Jaramillo, P., Kahn Ribeiro, S., Newman, P., Dhar, S., Diemuodeke, O. E., Kajino, T., Lee, D. S., Nugroho, S. B., Ou, X., Hammer Strømman, A., & Whitehead, J. (2022). Transport. In P. R. Shukla, J. Skea, R. Slade, A. Al Khourdajie, R. van Diemen, D. McCollum, M. Pathak, S. Some, P. Vyas, R. Fradera, M. Belkacemi, A. Hasija, G. Lisboa, S. Luz, & J. Malley (Eds.), Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change. Cambridge University Press.
Koukka, S., Malinen, T., Nurkka, H., & Yli-Tokola, M. (2001). Kaatumistapaturman vaikutukset ikääntyvän kotona selviytymiseen (No. 5/2001; Tiehallinnon selvityksiä).
Krogstad, J. R., Hjorthol, R., & Tennøy, A. (2015). Improving walking conditions for older adults. A three-step method investigation. European Journal of Ageing, 12(3), 249–260. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-015-0340-5
Lee, I.-M., & Buchner, D. M. (2008). The importance of walking to public health. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 40(7 Suppl), S512-518. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e31817c65d0
Lehmuskoski, V., Rönkä, K., Wiik, M., & Kallio, R. (2002). Ikääntyneiden liikkuminen ja tienpito (No. 14/2002; Finra Reports). Finnish Road Administration.
Li, W., Keegan, T. H. M., Sternfeld, B., Sidney, S., Quesenberry Jr., C. P., & Kelsey, J. L. (2006). Outdoor falls among middle-aged and older adults: A neglected public health problem. American Journal of Public Health, 96(7), 1192–1200. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2005.083055
Li, W., Procter-Gray, E., Lipsitz, L. A., Leveille, S. G., Hackman, H., Biondolillo, M., & Hannan, M. T. (2014). Utilitarian Walking, Neighborhood Environment, and Risk of Outdoor Falls Among Older Adults. American Journal of Public Health, 104(9), e30. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2014.302104
Luukinen, H., Herala, M., Koski, K., Honkanen, R., Laippala, P., & Kivelä, S.-L. (2000). Fracture risk associated with a fall according to type of fall among the elderly. Osteoporosis International, 11(7), 631–634. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s001980070086
Malin, F., Mesimäki, J., & Penttinen, M. (2022). Pedestrian slip-and-fall accidents and their prevention: An equality perspective (No. 2022:2; Publications of the Ministry of Transport and Communications). Ministry of Transport and Communications.
Mattsson, A. (2017). Socioeconomic impacts of winter maintenance for pedestrian—A cost benefit analysis of injuries in single-pedestrian accidents and road maintenance in the city of Stockholm [Master’s thesis, Linköping University].
McKiernan, F. E. (2005). A Simple Gait-Stabilizing Device Reduces Outdoor Falls and Nonserious Injurious Falls in Fall-Prone Older People During the Winter. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 53(6), 943–947. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2005.53302.x
Mesimäki, J., & Luoma, J. (2021). Near accidents and collisions between pedestrians and cyclists. European Transport Research Review, 13(1), 38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12544-021-00497-z
Methorst, R., Eenink, R., Cardoso, J., Machata, K., & Malasek, J. (2016). Single Unprotected Road User Crashes: Europe we have a Problem! Transportation Research Procedia, 14, 2297–2305. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2016.05.246
Methorst, R., Schepers, P., Christie, N., Dijst, M., Risser, R., Sauter, D., & van Wee, B. (2017). 'Pedestrian falls’ as necessary addition to the current definition of traffic crashes for improved public health policies. Journal of Transport & Health, 6, 10–12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2017.02.005
Mizenko, A. J., Tefft, B. C., Arnold, L. S., & Grabowski, J. G. (2015). The relationship between age and driving attitudes and behaviors among older Americans. Injury Epidemiology, 2(1), 9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40621-015-0043-6
Morency, P., Voyer, C., Burrows, S., & Goudreau, S. (2012). Outdoor Falls in an Urban Context: Winter Weather Impacts and Geographical Variations. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 103(3), 218–222. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403816
Myllylä, M., Aarnikko, H., Kemppainen, M., & Ruonankoski, A. (2006). Improving pedestrian safety. Maintenance development programme 2006–2010 (No. 25/2006; Publications of the Ministry of Transport and Communications).
Official Statistics of Finland (OSF). (2023). Population projection. Statistics Finland.
Official Statistics of Finland (OSF). (2024). Population structure. Statistics Finland.
Oxley, J., O’Hern, S., Burtt, D., & Rossiter, B. (2018). Falling while walking: A hidden contributor to pedestrian injury. Accident; Analysis and Prevention, 114, 77–82. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2017.01.010
Pavol, M. J., Owings, T. M., Foley, K. T., & Grabiner, M. D. (1999). The Sex and Age of Older Adults Influence the Outcome of Induced Trips. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 54(2), M103–M108. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/54.2.M103
Penttinen, M., Nygård, M., Harjula, V., & Eskelinen, M. (1999). Pedestrian slipping accidents, detecting and forecasting of hazardous road conditions. Information campaign on the Helsinki region (No. 1998; VTT Research Notes). VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.
Pöysti, L. (2014). Jalankulkijoiden liukastumiset—Kyselytuloksia 2013. Finnish Road Safety Council.
Rantakokko, M., Mänty, M., Iwarsson, S., Törmäkangas, T., Leinonen, R., Heikkinen, E., & Rantanen, T. (2009). Fear of Moving Outdoors and Development of Outdoor Walking Difficulty in Older People. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 57(4), 634–640. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2009.02180.x
Rantala, S.-S., & Pöysti, L. (2015). Pedestrian slip-and-falls (No. 1/2015; Liikenneturvan Selvityksiä).
Schepers, P., den Brinker, B., Methorst, R., & Helbich, M. (2017). Pedestrian falls: A review of the literature and future research directions. Journal of Safety Research, 62, 227–234. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2017.06.020
Traficom. (2023). National Travel Survey 2021 (No. 1/2023; Traficom Research Reports). Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom.
Visser, M., Pluijm, S. M. F., Stel, V. S., Bosscher, R. J., & Deeg, D. J. H. (2002). Physical Activity as a Determinant of Change in Mobility Performance: The Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 50(11), 1774–1781. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1532-5415.2002.50504.x
Vuoriainen, T., Helenius, M., Heikkilä, J., & Olkkonen, S. (2000). Incidence of falls by pedestrians and cyclists in Espoo, Helsinki, Jyväskylä and Oulu (No. 48/2000; Finra Reports). Finnish Road Administration.
Watts, N., Adger, W. N., Agnolucci, P., Blackstock, J., Byass, P., Cai, W., Chaytor, S., Colbourn, T., Collins, M., Cooper, A., Cox, P. M., Depledge, J., Drummond, P., Ekins, P., Galaz, V., Grace, D., Graham, H., Grubb, M., Haines, A., … Costello, A. (2015). Health and climate change: Policy responses to protect public health. The Lancet, 386(10006), 1861–1914. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60854-6
Wennberg, H., Ståhl, A., & Hydén, C. (2009). Older pedestrians’ perceptions of the outdoor environment in a year-round perspective. European Journal of Ageing, 6(4), 277–290. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-009-0123-y
WHO. (2021). Falls [Fact Sheet]. World Health Organisation.
Wijlhuizen, G. J., de Jong, R., & Hopman-Rock, M. (2007). Older persons afraid of falling reduce physical activity to prevent outdoor falls. Preventive Medicine, 44(3), 260–264. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2006.11.003
World Health Organisation (WHO). (2022). Global status report on physical activity 2022.
Zijlstra, G. A. R., van Haastregt, J. C. M., van Eijk, J. Th. M., van Rossum, E., Stalenhoef, P. A., & Kempen, G. I. J. M. (2007). Prevalence and correlates of fear of falling, and associated avoidance of activity in the general population of community-living older people. Age and Ageing, 36(3), 304–309. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afm021
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Johannes Mesimäki, Fanny Malin, Merja Penttinen
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
