Profile of Cases of Fatal Road Traffic Accident with Respect to Diurnal Variation of Time, Age, Sex and Death of Victim in Central Rural India-Autopsy Based Study

Abstract

Road traffic accident is a complex phenomenon. Constant rise in the number of motor vehicles, rampant encroachment of road, easy to avail the vehicle because of loan facility, nasty tendency of violating traffic rules and anarchic traffic systems have greatly contributed to rapid increase in RTAs. The rise of road traffic accidents has become a major public health problem. RTAs cost a lot not only to the individuals affected and their families but also to the nation. The injuries, disability and fatality resulting from unexpected RTAs put a significant drain on the economy of the nation.
The present study was a cross-sectional study conducted in central India during 2 year period from 1st June 2014 to 31st May 2016. During the study period, a total of 757 medicolegal autopsies were conducted in this institute, out of which 109 cases of fatal road traffic accidents (died on spot or within 24 hours of accident) were studied. The purpose of the study was to know the age and sex wise distribution, diurnal variation and to correlate the above parameters with the cause of death.