ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

AUTOPSY BASED STUDY IN MULTAN

Abstract

The specter of road traffic injuries takes a greater toll on human life every day
on our roads. Objectives: To analyze the demographic and injury profile of autopsy cases
with an alleged history of RTA (Road traffic accidents). Design: Retrospective study. Setting:
Forensic Medicine Department of Nishtar Medical College, Multan. Period: January 2010 to
December 2013. Material and Methods: 116 autopsy cases with an alleged history of RTA.
Data collected pertaining to history, epidemiology, details of injuries and cause of death etc.
was statistically analyzed on SPSS version17. Results: Out of 116 autopsies on RTA victims,
46.55% victims were between 21-40 years with male: female ratio of 1.9:1. Maximum number
of accidents occurred during day time between 6 am and 5:59 pm (62.06%). 79.31% died at
the site of accidents. Pedestrians were the commonest victims (81.89%). Four wheelers caused
most of RTA 51(43.96%). The cause of death was opined to be head injury in 45.68% of cases.
Conclusion: Addressing road safety in a comprehensive manner necessitates the involvement
of multiple sectors, such as health, transport and police.