Epidemiology of Fatal Road Traffic Accidents: A Six Year Retrospective Study in the Medico legal Centre of a Tertiary Care Health Set Up in Western Maharashtra

Abstract

Road Traffic Accident (RTA) is a public health concern globally. Rapid urbanisation and increase in the
number of motor vehicles, lack of discipline and violation of traffic regulations has led to a rapid rise in
the deaths in vulnerable road users. A retrospective study was undertaken in the autopsy centre of a tertiary
care hospital to observe the pattern and trends of deaths between 2013-2018 due to RTAs. Out of 248 RTA
cases analysed in this study, 75.4% were male and 24.6% were female. The most vulnerable age group was
21-40 years in both two-wheeler and four-wheeler accidents while in pedestrians it was 41-50 years. High
rate of accidents was seen during summer in afternoon in cases of pedestrians as well as motor vehicle
occupants and in the evening after 6 PM in two-wheeler motorcyclists. Observation of the pattern of head
injuries showed fracture of the skull was a common occurrence in two and four-wheeler accidents whereas
a greater number of pedestrians reported no skull fracture. Non helmet users suffered higher mortality in the
age group of 21-30 years. Subdural haemorrhage caused maximum deaths in two-wheeler motorcyclists and
pedestrians while sub arachnoid haemorrhage was seen in four-wheeler accidents. Our study agreed with the
WHO report of 2018 and various other studies from India and abroad. Increased number of fatalities was
found to occur at a particular time of the day with seasonal preference. Two-wheeler motorcyclists without
a helmet suffered maximum deaths. Real time analysis of data in various parts of the country would help in
ensuring safe road user practices.