Victims Of Fatal Traffic Accidents Research Articles

On a collision course: fatal motorcycle and bicycle accidents of adolescents in Finland from 2008 to 2019.

Transport injuries are a major cause of mortality among adolescents. Our aim was to evaluate the circumstances and trauma associated with fatal accidents involving adolescents and two-wheeled vehicles. We analyzed retrospective data from the Finnish Crash Data Institute from 2008 to 2019 involving 10- to 24-year-old victims of fatal traffic accidents who were injured while riding a bicycle, moped or motorcycle. We collected data on patient characteristics, accident circumstances and possible treatment. These fatalities were compared with national mortality rates among the respective age groups. We identified 147 fatalities over the 12-year period involving 20 bicycle, 50 moped and 77 motorcycle riders. Most accidents involved males (n = 121, 82%). Less than half of vehicles were in good condition (46%); motorized vehicles were often illegally tuned (37%) or had tire problems (31%). Most of the accidents were collisions with another vehicle (n = 99, 67%) or other objects (n = 35, 24%). In 94% of cases, the Injury Severity Score was >25. Head injury was the most common cause of death (62%). Among 15-year-olds, every fifth death was due to accidents on two-wheeled vehicles. Fatal transport accidents among adolescents comprise several elements that should be incorporated into driver's education and in case of minors, also communicated to parents. These include the condition of the vehicle, proper helmet use and effects of speed on both control of the vehicle and the consequences of a possible collision.

Driving under the Influence of Alcohol - Epidemiological Profile of the Victims in Mato Grosso State, Midwest Brazil

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) refers to the amount of ethanol present in the blood of an individual. Ethanol is among the most common substances encountered in forensic toxicology because ethanol abuse is related to fatal traffic accidents and general anti-social behavior. The objective was to describe the profile of victims of fatal traffic accidents in the state of Mato Grosso between 2013 and 2015. We analyzed 3,045 case records from Mato Grosso state Official Public Forensic Institution, Politec. Positive results for the presence of ethanol in the blood of victims of fatal traffic accidents was higher for males 1,162 (83.1%), from 21 to 30 years of age, and occurred predominantly during the weekends. Traffic accidents in Cuiabá County had the highest mortality coefficient per 100 thousand inhabitants (28.9%) than the rest of the state. Regarding the months of the year, there was a homogenous distribution with a discrete predominance of cases in October, November and December. The incidents were more frequent between 22h, 8h and 11h/12h am. This study contributes not only for the identification of the individuals most likely to be involved in traffic accidents where ethanol was consumed, but also to subsidize public policies aimed towards intervening and raising awareness of damages due to association among driving and ethanol use or abuse.

Predominance of alcohol and illicit drugs among traffic accidents fatalities in an urban area of Brazil

ABSTRACTObjective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of alcohol and illicit drug use among victims of fatal traffic accidents in the Metropolitan Region of Vitória, Brazil, during the period 2011–2012.Methods: Blood samples were collected and analyzed for the presence of drugs from 391 deceased victims of traffic crashes that occurred in the Metropolitan Region of Vitória, Brazil. The victims included drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Sociodemographic variables such as age, gender, day of the week, and period of the year in which the accidents occurred were recorded. The analyses were performed by a gas chromatography–flame ionization method for alcohol and by a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for amphetamines, cocaine, and cannabis.Results: The results showed that 44.8% (n = 175) of all cases were positive for alcohol and/or illicit drugs. The detection of alcohol and/or drugs was more frequent in young males, aged 17 to 34, whose samples were positive in 46.8% of cases. Small differences among drivers, passengers, and pedestrians were observed (drivers = 45.9%, passengers = 46.4%, and pedestrians = 45.6%). In general, the most prevalent drug was alcohol, with 141 positive cases (36.1%), followed by cocaine, with 47 positive cases (12%). Amphetamines and cannabis had positivity rates of 4.1 and 4.3%, with 16 and 17 positive cases, respectively. The combined use of alcohol and other drugs was found in 36 cases (9.2%). Crack cocaine use was observed in 27.7% of the positive cases for cocaine.Conclusions: For the effective reduction of traffic accidents related to driving under influence of drugs (DUID), we suggest the intensification of enforcement actions against the use of alcohol by drivers, the definition of which illicit drugs should be surveyed, as well the cutoff values, the promotion of changing legislation to oblige drivers to provide samples for toxicological testing, and the establishment of public information programs and specific actions aimed at young drivers to promote behavioral changes.

Helicopter Rescue for Traffic Accidents in West Germany

Approximately 200,000 emergency patients die annually in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) after a sudden illness or a serious accident. According to estimates, more than 20,000 die because effective first aid was not rendered soon enough. We know that two-thirds of all victims of fatal traffic accidents die within 25 minutes after the accident has occurred. In order to improve chances of survival, the therapy-free interval must be as brief as possible.

High Cervical Spine and Craniocervical Junction Injuries in Fatal Traffic Accidents: A Radiological Study

Postmortem radiographic examinations in 312 victims of fatal traffic accidents were analyzed with respect to injuries to the cervical spine. Most fractures and dislocations in this group were found to involve the craniocervical junction and the upper two cervical segments. Over half were flexion injuries, one-fifth caused predominantly by extension. Flexion and extension views were found to be helpful in demonstrating the instability of many injuries.

Postmortem radiology of head neck injuries in fatal traffic accidents.

A series of 146 victims of fatal traffic accidents were subjected to postmortem radiographic examination prior to medicolegal autopsy. A total of 42% were found to have radiographically demonstrable head injuries ranging from relatively simple linear skull fractures to massive skull damage. Free intracranial or intravascular air was demonstrated in more than 60%. A total of 21% had demonstrable neck injuries, most of which were localized to a single level at the craniocervical junction or the upper two cervical vertebrae. Flexion and extension studies of this area are of major importance in demonstrating the injury and locating potentially occult lesions for the forensic pathologist.