Fatal Road Traffic Accidents: A Study of Autopsied Cases

Human factors remain the leading cause of road traffic accidents. The incidence of death among people on foot is much higher as compared to car occupants or motorcyclists in road traffic accidents. A careful examination of injuries is necessary for reconstruction of the accident. From the nature of the injuries inferences can be drawn regarding relative position of the victim and the vehicle at the time of accident.

To understand the trend of road fatalities in and around Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh.

After ethical clearance for the study, this autopsy based study was conducted on 74 deaths due to RTA's in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh over a period of one year. The victim's information and history of circumstances of road traffic fatalities were noted down from the inquest/postmortem reports. Data was tabulated and interpreted using appropriate statistical methods like frequency and percentage.

Majority were males 60 (81.08%), in the age group of 16–45 (58.11%). Pedestrians and bikers comprised main victims (75.67%). Most common external injury was lacerated wound (86.49%), followed by hematoma (44.59%). Most common internal traumatic brain injury was subarachnoid hemorrhage (sAH) 28 (37.83%), followed by hemorrhagic contusion 25 (33.78%). Retroperitoneal hematoma was seen in 16 (21.62%) and solid organ injury in 11 (14.86%) victims. craniocerebral damage accounted for 48 (64.86%) while hemorrhagic shock accounted for 26 (35.14%) of the deaths.

Establishing modern trauma centers along with well-trained specialists should be the first priority of the central and state Governments. social awareness regarding safe driving should be emphasized at all levels.