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, rashand 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, andstudied. Out of 450 cases, 63 (14%) had fatal fractures that were studied with an x-ray, CT scan, or MRI. Seriouspedestrians 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 antidepressanttreatment, 104 (23.1%) were busy in mobile speaking, and 60 (13.3%) were playing on the roadside. Maximumfractures observed were 107 (22.8%); cranial haemorrhage was followed by 98 (21.7%) fracture of the skull. Therewere 02 (0.44%) injuries to the kidney superficially or subcutaneously as four wheelers and two wheelers hit thepedestrians at the lumbar region, 3 (0.66%) in the aorta. The fatalities were 63 (14%). Among them, 40 (63.4%) hadhaemorrhage 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 stringentpunishment for both pedestrians and drivers of vehicles violating traffic rules can minimize pedestrian roadaccidents and fatalities.