Fatal road traffic accidents and their relationship with head injuries: An epidemiological survey of five years

Kumar, Arvind; Lalwani, Sanjeev; Agrawal, Deepak; Rautji, Ravi; Dogra, T.D. · 2008 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1016/s0973-0508(08)80002-0

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Summary

This study investigates the epidemiological patterns of fatal road traffic accidents (RTAs) and their specific relationship with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in New Delhi, India. Motivated by the high burden of RTA mortality in developing nations and the lack of established surveillance systems in India, the authors aimed to characterize injury patterns to inform emergency service improvements and legal measures. The research addresses a gap in correlating head injuries with RTA fatalities, noting that previous data from 1979 did not reflect subsequent demographic and vehicular changes. The researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of medico-legal autopsies performed at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) between 2001 and 2005. The study population comprised 2,472 fatal vehicular accident cases, representing 35.27% of the 7,008 total autopsies conducted during this period. Data were extracted from inquest reports, clinical records, and autopsy findings to determine demographic profiles, injury types, survival times, and temporal distributions of accidents. The results indicated that males were disproportionately affected, comprising 88.22% of fatalities, with the highest incidence occurring in the 21–40 age group (54.24%). Pre-hospital mortality was significant, with 39.84% of victims dying at the scene and another 28.51% dying within 24 hours. Head injuries were the most prevalent cause of death, present in 68.73% of cases. Among those with head injuries, 69.63% sustained skull fractures, with the temporal bone being the most commonly fractured (47.25%). Subdural hemorrhage was the most frequent intracranial injury (89.11%). Other common injuries included lung contusions (22.57%) and liver lacerations (21.52%). Temporally, 53.20% of fatal accidents occurred between 6 PM and 6 AM, with November recording the highest monthly fatality rate (11.04%). No significant difference was found in accident incidence between weekdays and weekends. The study concludes that the high rate of pre-hospital mortality and the severity of traumatic brain injuries highlight an urgent need for improved pre-hospital trauma care and immediate access to neurosurgical facilities. The authors emphasize that establishing a nationwide computerized trauma registry is essential for identifying risk factors and guiding health policy. The findings suggest that targeted preventive measures for young adult males and enhanced emergency response systems during evening hours could significantly reduce RTA-related mortality in India.

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Topics

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• fatality injury trends
• incidence prevalence

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• Empirical Findings: crash risk outcomes