Pattern of injuries in Two-Wheeler riders involved in Road Traffic Occurrence –an Autopsy Study

Abstract

Background: Road traffic injuries are India’s sixth leading cause of death, affecting youth and middle-aged individuals. Rapid motorized traffic growth, particularly two-wheelers (72% of vehicles), has increased accidents. Inadequate and non-uniform helmet regulations worsen the situation. Road injuries strain healthcare, demanding hospitalization, and rehabilitation. Kerala experiences significant two-wheeler accidents, often fatal due to head injuries. Studying injury patterns and causes among riders in fatal accidents is vital. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Govt TD Medical College, Vandanam, Kerala, following approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. The study included all deaths of two-wheeler riders involved in road traffic accidents with clear vehicle information, excluding decomposed or unidentified bodies. A total of 101 cases were analyzed, recording external and internal injuries directly onto the Proforma during autopsy. Data were summarized using frequencies and proportions, while the chi-square test assessed relationships between categorical variables. Conclusion:The study found that most accidents occurred between 6-9 pm, involving mainly male (91.1%) two-wheeler riders (80.8%). Few wore helmets (5%). Head injuries (97%) were common, often caused by ejection from vehicles (87%). Non-helmet use and ejection related significantly to head injuries, a leading cause of twowheeler accident fatalities