Study of Pedestrian Injuries and Fatalities in Road accidentsat Tertiary Care Hospital in Maharashtra

Abstract

Background: The Majority of the roads are narrow in India and unrepaired with multiple pits. Heavy traffic, rash
and negligent driving lead to injuries to pedestrians and also cause fatal accidents.
Method:450 pedestrians were brought to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Aurangabad, and
studied. Out of 450 cases, 63 (14%) had fatal fractures that were studied with an x-ray, CT scan, or MRI. Serious
pedestrians were admitted to the ICU; the remaining was treated by Orthopaedics and neurosurgeons.
Results:128 (23.4%) were alcoholics, 54 (12%) had a visual problem, and 15 (3.2%) had Auditory problem: 38(8.44%)
were mentally challenged (also included cases with psychiatric illness), 51(11.3%) were on antidepressant
treatment, 104 (23.1%) were busy in mobile speaking, and 60 (13.3%) were playing on the roadside. Maximum
fractures observed were 107 (22.8%); cranial haemorrhage was followed by 98 (21.7%) fracture of the skull. There
were 02 (0.44%) injuries to the kidney superficially or subcutaneously as four wheelers and two wheelers hit the
pedestrians at the lumbar region, 3 (0.66%) in the aorta. The fatalities were 63 (14%). Among them, 40 (63.4%) had
haemorrhage and shock; 16 (25.3%) had head injuries; 5 (7.93%) had septicaemia; and 2 (3.10%) had uraemia.
Conclusion: Well-built roads, fencing or barriers for pedestrians, awareness of traffic rules, and stringent
punishment for both pedestrians and drivers of vehicles violating traffic rules can minimize pedestrian road
accidents and fatalities.