Victims Of Fatal Road Traffic Accidents Research Articles

An Autopsy Based Retrospective Study on Pattern of Thoraco-Abdominal Injuries in Fatal Road Traffic Accidents of Kolar, South India

Background: India is experiencing increasing road traffic accidents (RTA) amidst increasing motorization andinfrastructure growth in recent years. Every day, nearly 400 road deaths occur on Indian roads and severalthousands are hospitalized due to road crashes. WHO estimates the incidence of road deaths to be 16.6 per 100000population in India1. With the aim of studying pattern and exploring various epidemiological characteristics ofRTAs, this retrospective study of medico-legal autopsies was conducted.Aims & Objectives: 1 To study the pattern of thoraco-abdominal injuries (TAI) in fatal road traffic accidents inKolar. 2. To describe demographic profile and create public awareness on road safety.Material & Methods: A retrospective autopsy based study of pattern of thoraco-abdominal injuries in victims offatal road traffic accidents was conducted in Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Kolar (South India) from 1st January2014 to 31st December 2014. A total of 192 RTA victims were referred for autopsy during the period of which100 cases sustaining thoraco-abdominal injuries were studied.Results: A total of 192 medicolegal autopsies were conducted on victims of road traffic accidents (RTA) during thestudy period. Among them, 100 victims suffered thoraco-abdominal injuries, which accounted for 52.08% of thecases. The highest number of victims belonged to the age group of 20-40 years, accounting for 48% of the cases.In terms of gender distribution, males constituted 62.0% of the victims while females constituted 38.0%. The mostcommon injuries were to the liver, accounting for 37.75% of the total injuries. Other frequently affected body partsincluded the spleen, lungs, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, and spine.Conclusion: The analyzed data provides clear evidence that road accidents are foreseeable and avoidable. Tomake substantial improvements in road safety throughout India, it is essential to establish a robust and effectivenational and state-level road safety authority, foster intersectoral coordination, and secure regular funding. Ouraim in sharing this article is to increase public awareness of the significance of road traffic injuries from a publichealth perspective and to alleviate the weight of fatalities and injuries on our communities.

A Study of Blood Alcohol Level in Victims of Fatal Road Traffic Accidents in Manipur, India

Background: Alcohol is well-established risk factors for road traffic deaths around the world. Method:This is a cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence of alcohol consumption among the victims of fatalroad traffic accidents in Imphal, Manipur. A detailed post-mortem examination was carried out among160 victims and blood alcohol concentration was assessed by Cavett test and then quantified by gas liquidchromatography. Result: A total of 40 (25%) cases were found to be positive for alcohol in the blood. Mostof the cases 11(27.5%) occurred in age group of 21-30 years and 41- 50 years, respectively. Maximumnumber of cases 13(32.5%) showed blood alcohol concentration of 90-120 mg% while 7(17.5%) casesshowed readings above 180 mg%. Conclusion: This study found that driving under the influence of alcohol,exponentially increases the risk of having an accident which could be fatal in its outcome.

Socio-demographic profile of head injury victims in road traffic accidents, an autopsy based study at SAMC & PGI, Indore

Globally, deaths and injuries following Road Traffic Accident are a significant and increasing public health concern. Death due to road traffic accidents is becoming alarming in India and rest of the countries. A prospective study has been conducted at Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Sri Aurobindo Medical College & Post Graduate Institute, Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The study was carried out from October 2015 to March 2017. The study was undertaken to analyze Socio-demographic profile in fatal road traffic accident victims. Total 102 cases of both sexes and all age groups having head injuries due to road traffic accident, brought to our postmortem centre for medico-legal autopsy were included. Out of total 102 cases, male to female ratio was 5.8:1 and commonest age group affected was 21-30 years (36.8%). Among total victims, majority of cases were Hindu (93.1%). 28.4% of the victims were educated up to secondary school and 28.4% were farmer & laborers by occupation. Most of the deaths occurred due to accidents on Highway roads (47.1%). Most of the victims were on two wheeler (61.8%) and majority of them were without helmet (97%). Accidents were most common in summer months of March, April, May and June (39.2%). This study aims to provide epidemiological facts in head injury victims involved in vehicular accidents.

A study of pattern and distribution of intra-cranial haemorrhages in fatal road traffic accidents at a tertiary care centre in Indore region of Madhya Pradesh

Head injuries are the most serious injuries in the term of morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted in mortuary of MGM Medical College, Indore over the period of one year from 1st October 2014 to 30th September 2015. A total of 200 post-mortem cases of road traffic accident victims were studied. Objective of the study was to find out pattern and distribution of intracranial hemorrhages in fatal road traffic accident victims. In the present study males (n=156, 78.0%) outnumbered females (n=44, 22.0 %). Most affected age group was between 21-30 years having total 65 cases (32.5%), followed by 31-40 years in 38 (19.0 %) cases. Sub Dural Hemorrhage (SDH) alone was present in 32 (16.0%) cases which was most common, followed by Sub Arachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH) in 31 (15.5%) cases. In combination SDH with SAH was most common hemorrhage i.e. in 88 (44.0%) cases. RTAs were more common in the younger age groups and in male sex. Head injury was the major cause of death in majority cases of RTAs mostly due to Subdural and Subarachnoid Haemorrhages. This further shows the need of strict implementations of rules for controlling the speed of vehicle. Keywords: Road traffic accident, Extra dural hemorrhage, Sub dural hemorrhage, Sub arachnoid hemorrhage.

Pattern of fatal unintentional injuries in an urban setting in a developing nation

Background: Epidemiologic survey in most countries show a shift from infectious disease to noncommunicable diseases and injuries as major causes of death. Fatal nonintentional injuries constitute a significant but preventable cause of death in sub-Sahara Africa. Objective: The objective of this study is to describe the age, sex, and causes of fatal unintentional deaths from autopsies performed in Warri, Delta State. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive retrospective study, based on coroner's autopsies performed in Warri, Delta State, from 2003 to 2016. Information on age, sex, and causes of fatal nonintentional injuries was extracted from autopsy reports and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: A total of 236 fatal unintentional death victims, composed 190 (80.5%) male and 46 (19.5%) female, with a mean age of 33.08 years and peak incidence in the fourth decade were studied. Major causes of accidental deaths in this investigation include road traffic accident (RTA) (48.7%), drowning (15.5%), burns (12.3%), electrocution (10.2%), falls (4.7%), and poisoning (3.4%). Fatal RTA victims consist of 87 (75.7%) male and 28 (24.3%) female, with motorcycle-related death accounted for 52 (45%) deaths, whereas pedestrian and vehicle users each accounted for 32 (27.8%) cases. Conclusion: Unintentional deaths are relatively common but highly preventable through education and enforcement of safety practices; and safety-targeted engineering and infrastructural designs.

Incidence of fatalities of road traffic accidents associated with alcohol consumption and the use of psychoactive drugs: A 7-year survey (2011-2017).

Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or psychoactive substances increases the risk of severe, even fatal motor vehicle accidents. The aim of this descriptive study was to present the impact of alcohol and/or psychoactive substances on fatal road traffic accidents (RTAs) during the period 2011-2017. For this purpose, the toxicological investigation reports from the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology of the University of Athens were used. In total, 1,841 (32.2%) of the autopsies conducted by the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens over a 7-year period (2011-2017) were victims of fatal RTAs. Blood and urine samples were collected and analyzed for the presence of alcohol and psychoactive substances. The results were classified according to sex, age, victim (car driver, motorcyclist, pedestrian, or passenger) and the date the accident occurred (day, month and year). In total, 40.7% of the RTA-related fatalities were associated with alcohol consumption, among which 20.3% were car drivers. Of these, 87.3% were male victims. A higher frequency of RTA-related fatalities associated with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) >110 mg/dl was encountered in younger compared with older age groups. Psychoactive substances were detected in 348 (18.9%) of the victims (cannabis in 46.6% of these, benzodiazepines in 25.9%, opiates in 16.4% and cocaine in 11.1% of these). The percentage of the RTA-related victims that had consumed alcohol in combination with other psychoactive substances was 4.5%. On the whole, the findings of this study suggest that alcohol and psychoactive substances are probably risk factors for RTA-related fatalities.

A Study of Cranial Injuries in Road Traffic Accidents in Tirupati Region

Death due to Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) are increasing at an alarming rate world wide thereby possessing a major epidemiological problem. Victims in RTAs sustain large varieties of injuries and occurrence of cranial injuries is extremely high in RTAs. The cranial injuries associated with injuries to vital organ and acute massive haemorrhage are more fatal or more dangerous to life. The study of cranial injuries associated with fatal outcome helps in the implementation of measures to prevent the fatalities due to RTAs. Hence the present study is conducted to know the pattern of cranial injuries in victims of fatal RTAs, type of victims along with age and sex, survival period, type of offending vehicle. Language: en

Injuries among Drivers in RTA

Background: Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) are responsible for the greatest number of injuries and fatalities worldwide by killing around 1.2 million people each year and injuring another 50 million. Objective: To evaluate the present situation of Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) in Dhaka and to find out the pattern of injuries present in the bodies of drivers who were victims of fatal RTA. Materials & Method: This cross sectional descriptive study was conducted at the Dhaka Medical College (DMC) Morgue during the period January 2008 to December 2008. Specific findings regarding injury of drivers were noted during post mortem examinations. Results: A total of 2714 post mortems were conducted during the study period and out of which 813 were cases of RTA (29.95%). Maximum RTA occurred at daytime 282 (34.68%). Greater number of accidents occurred during September 90 (11.07%), followed by January 85 (10.45%). Maximum accidents took place on highways 650 (79.95%) and buses were the most dangerous vehicle causing highest number of causalities 307 (37.76%). Among the victims, 545 (67.03%) were male. Out of all victims 39 (4.80%) were drivers. Highest incidence of fatality in RTA (30.38%) was observed among the age group 21 to 30 years. Among the deceased drivers, 36 (92.30%) were literate. Considering injuries of the drivers 100% victims had multiple abrasions and bruises, lacerations were present in 35 (89.74%), and intracranial injury in 36 (90.31%) cases. Specific injuries of drivers like injury to lower limbs due to break pedal/clutch was found in 27 (69.23%) cases, steering wheel injury was present in 24 (61.53%) cases and whiplash injury was found in 15 (38.46%) cases. However, no seat belt injury was observed in any deceased driver. Conclusion: Strict enforcement of traffic law, using seat belts, maintaining fitness of vehicles, driving licenses, improving public awareness etc. can reduce this economical burden and protect vulnerable groups of people of our country.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.14(4) 2015 p.346-351

Pattern and Distribution of Injuries in Fatal Road Traffic Accidents – A Postmortem Study Conducted in BTGH, Gulbarga

Deaths due to Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) are increasing at an alarming rate throughout the world. Thereby it poses itself as a major epidemiological and medicolegal problem. With increasing use of vehicles, injuries due to them are so common nowadays that it is necessary to be able to assess the injuries, the mechanisms by which they are caused and the cause of death. The study of injuries associated with fatal outcome helps in implementation of measures to prevent fatalities due to RTAs. Hence, the present study was conducted to know, Pattern and distribution of injuries in victims of fatal RTAs, victim's age and sex and survival period. In addition, an attempt was also made to know the cause of death.

Pattern of Skeletal Injuries in Victims of Fatal Road Traffic Accident

Deaths due to Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) are increasing at a shocking rate throughout the world. Victims in RTA sustain large varieties of injuries and occurrence of skeletal injuries is extremely high in RTA. Present cross-sectional study was carried out to know the pattern of skeletal injuries in victims of fatal RTA. In this study, out of 176 medico legal autopsies conducted, 57% were RTA related deaths. Skull fracture was present in maximum number of victims and was predominant in all categories of road user except drivers of motor vehicle. Commonest type of fracture present in vault and base of the skull was fissured fracture. Commonest fossa involved was the middle cranial fossa (49%).

An Autopsy Study about Cause of Death in Fatal Road Traffic Accident Victims in New Delhi, India

This study was conducted in Maulana Azad Medical college, New Delhi Mortuary among the 102 post mortem cases of road traffic accident victims over the period of three years from 2008–2011. Objective of this study was to find out cause of death in fatal road traffic accident. Most common cause of death was cranio-cerebral damage, followed by haemorrhage and shock.

Prevalence of ethanol and illicit drugs in road traffic accidents in the centre of Portugal: An eighteen-year update

This study presents the prevalence of ethanol and illicit drugs in fatal road traffic accident victims in the Centre of Portugal between January 1990 and December 2007. Among the violent deaths, road traffic accidents presented the highest percentage (around 35%; n=3095), but decreasing throughout the years. Accidents were preponderant in males (about 80%; n=2402), between 21 and 30 years-old. Accidents involving drivers (55%; n=1310) were of the most common, being the car the main vehicle (45%), followed by the motorcycle (40%). An alcohol analysis request was present in 50% of the cases (n=1687), but increasing each year. Ethanol concentrations >1.2g/L, the legal limit in Portugal, were found in 55% (n=283) of the cases. Concerning drugs of abuse requests, only 4.4% (n=137) and 17.3% (58 cases) of the cases included the analysis at the Forensic Pathology Department (FPD) and at the Medico-Legal Office (MLO), respectively. Among the road accident cases analysed, 18 were positive, mainly in men (84%), between 21 and 30 years-old; opiates (47.1%; n=8) and cannabinoids (50%; n=4) were the most found, at the FPD and at the MLO, respectively. In conclusion, ethanol was identified as a key factor to traffic accidents, which explains the definition of specific legislation and methods of enforcement to prohibit this form of impairing. Nevertheless, ethanol still remains the psychoactive substance most frequently identified in the blood of divers killed in road-traffic crashes, recommending additional actions of supervision and control.

Acute subdural hematoma and diffuse axonal injury in fatal road traffic accident victims: a clinico-pathological study of 15 patients.

Although acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) and diffuse axonal injury (DAI) are commonly associated in victims of head injury due to road traffic accidents, there are only two clinico-pathological studies of this association. We report a clinical and pathological study of 15 patients with ASDH associated with DAI. The patients were victims of road traffic accidents and were randomly chosen. The state of consciousness on hospital admission was evaluated by the Glasgow coma scale. For the identification of axons the histological sections of the brain were stained with anti-neurofilament proteins. Twelve of the 15 patients were admitted to hospital in a state of coma; in three patients, the level of consciousness was not evaluated, as they died before hospital admission. The poorer prognosis in patients with ASDH who lapse into coma immediately after sustaining a head injury, as described by several authors, can be explained by the almost constant association between ASDH and DAI in victims of fatal road traffic accidents.

Diffuse Vascular Injury in Fatal Road Traffic Accident Victims: Its Relationship to Diffuse Axonal Injury

The authors have reported a macro- and microscopic study of brain lesions in 120 victims of fatal road traffic accidents, independent of the survival time. Diffuse vascular injury (DVI) was found in 14 patients (11.7%). All patients with DVI died within 24 h after the accident. The 14 patients with DVI also showed severe (Grade 2 or 3) diffuse axonal injury (DAI). Since DVI is restricted to road traffic accidents and incompatible with life, the high frequency observed in our series could be explained by the fact that all 120 patients were victims of road traffic accidents, and 69.2% had died within 24 h after the accident. The association between DVI and severe DAI (Grades 2 and 3) suggests that both lesions depend on the same mechanism, with the degree of axonal and vascular damage being determined by the intensity of the head acceleration. Our results show a relationship between DVI and DAI that suggest there may be a spectrum or at least a continuum between these entities as distinct from DVI being a separate entity.