A Study of Association between Alcohol Consumption and Road Traffic Accidents at Jaipur, Rajasthan

Worldwide motor vehicle collisions lead to death and disability as well as financial costs to both society and individuals involved. There is much evidence to indicate that alcohol consumption by a road user is a major factor in road traffic accident causation.

To assess the difference in pattern of injuries among the road traffic accident cases with and without consumption of alcohol. 2. To study the socio-demographic profile of alcohol and non alcohol related road traffic accidents.

This prospective observational cross-sectional study was carried out over a one year period between September 2009 and September 2010 at SMS Hospital, Jaipur. Examination of admitted road traffic accident cases was performed after selection of cases for injuries and consumption of alcohol along with autopsies for cases resulting in death of the subject. All findings were recorded and statistically evaluated.

Out of the 121 cases, a total of 83% of the victims from study population suffered fatal injuries. Of these, 9% were cases of exclusive head injuries; 20% cases had injuries other than head injury and 71% cases had head injury along with injuries to other parts of the body. About 50% of victims suffered head injury along with other bodily injury and 50% had injuries other than head injuries.

Clinically this study shows higher association of RTA's with alcohol. This study also reported a significant correlation between use of safety measures and survival rate which is a well established fact. Hence, it can be concluded that road traffic accidents are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in this region of Rajasthan, India with a higher risk to the productive age group of the society who are predominantly motorcyclists.