New Devon centre aims to reduce road harm

IMPACT, the Centre for Post-Collision Research, Innovation and Translation, launched in June, has been set up to ‘reduce the leading cause of death and disability worldwide’. The Devon-based centre delivers research and education and develops policy that measures the impact of road traffic collisions and, crucially, looks at how physical and psychological outcomes can be improved for those involved.

IMPACT was founded by Devon Air Ambulance, harnessing the charity’s clinical and research experience and commitment to innovation. It is entirely grant-funded, meaning that any public donations to Devon Air Ambulance continue to support its frontline operations. Devon has one of the highest rates of serious road injury in England when adjusted for population.

Every year, Devon Air Ambulance responds to around 200 serious road traffic collisions, and more than half of the trauma patients it attends are injured on the roads. Devon also has the highest rate of medical events at the wheel in the country and is among the worst areas for road injury involving children and young people.