Pattern of Road Traffic Accidents in Imphal

In recent years the incidence of Road Traffic Accidents is increasing at an alarming rate throughout the world posing itself as a major epidemiological as well as medico-legal problem. In a study of 205 cases of Road Traffic Accidents brought to the mortuary of Regional Institute of Medical sciences, Imphal during September 2007 to August 2009, it was noted that males (75.13%) outnumbered the females (24.87%). Majority of the victims were in the age group of 21 -30 years (24.89%). It was also noted that majority of the accidents happened in the National Highways (59.51%) and pedestrians were the commonest victims (37.56%). Trucks were the most frequent offending vehicles (34.63%) followed by Buses (22.94%) The commonest cause of death was due to shock and haemorrhage (34.64%). large number of human lives can be saved if trauma centres are established along the National Highways equipped with well trained medical personnel and complete infrastructure of emergency care.