Profile of Road Traffic Accidents in Southern Rajasthan-A Retrospective Hospital based Cross Sectional Study

Road traffic accident (RTA) is one of the major causes of death in world. If no action is taken, road traffic crashes are predicted to become seventh leading cause of death by year 2030. RTAs underreporting is a serious and global problem. Further, the scientific investigations behind these accidents are lacking due to which the real causes and consequences are not revealed. Road traffic accidents and related deaths can be prevented if related factors are identified.

To identify the profile of road traffic accident (RTA) cases admitted in Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan.

The present retrospective study was conducted in department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology of Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Udaipur, Rajasthan. Data of road traffic accident cases admitted during year 2015 were analyzed. A proforma was used to gather the information like age, gender, time of injury, type of injury etc. from medical records department of the hospital. Data were entered in MS-excel and analyzed.

Total 449 cases of RTAs were analyzed. Of these 76.8% were male. Most common (30.7%) age group involved was 21–30 years. Highest number of cases were recorded in May month followed by April. Nearly half of the accidents (49.4%) happened between 6 pm and 12 midnight. Most commonly (40.1%) pedestrians were the victims. Four wheeler was the offending vehicle in nearly half (50.3%) of the victims. Head injury was most common (59%) injury.

In present study, RTAs in Udaipur and nearby areas were more common in the adults, mostly in 21–30 years group males, most of the accidents happened during evening and night. There is a need to create awareness about traffic safety rules and most importantly change in behavior.