Characteristics of road traffic accident casualties admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The mortality and morbidity of road traffic accidents (RTA) is increasing in the South Asian region, including Sri Lanka. Therefore, the demographic factors, types of vehicles involved, and the severity of injuries sustained in RTA was studied. Age, gender, and details of the incident of all patients admitted to hospital following a RTA, between January 2007 and August 2012, were obtained by interview. Following a medico-legal examination, the type and severity of injuries was categorized as, non-grievous, grievous, endangering life or fatal in the ordinary course of nature. Of the 579 RTA casualties examined, 72% were males, 28% females, and 26% were in the 20-29 year age group. There were 44% passengers, 32% drivers, and 20% pedestrians. Of the 440 vehicle occupants, 37% were on motor cycles, 28% in three wheelers, 13% in dual purpose vehicles and 11% in buses. Of the 114 pedestrians, 33% had been struck by motor cycles, 19% by three-wheelers and 17% by dual purpose vehicles. There was at least one soft tissue injury in 84%, whilst 45% had one or more fractures. In 85% of bicycle riders, the injuries were grievous, endangering life or fatal in the ordinary course of nature. A high proportion of young adults sustained grievous injuries due to RTA. Almost two thirds of the casualties resulted from motorcycle or three wheeler accidents. Laws limiting the number of passengers carried, installation of side doors, mandatory use of seat belts in three wheelers, and protective garments for motorcyclists are recommended.

Analysis of Injury Patterns of Motorcycle Riders Admitted to Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya, Sri Lanka

“…There is a male predominance in both groups on our study, but the injured female proportion is significantly higher among pillion riders (42%) compared to riders (10%). Several studies done in Sri Lanka, as well as global statistics, show the same vulnerability of males while being the commonest users [16] . It has been observed that the number of female drivers is drastically rising worldwide over the last couple of years with the introduction of userfriendly female conventional bicycles.…”

Medico legal aspects of injuries sustained by occupants of three wheelers in road traffic crashes: a study conducted in a tertiary care hospital in the central province of Sri Lanka

“…Injuries to the limbs which were the commonest in our study were similar to the injuries sustained by passengers of motorcycles. 13 However, this contrasted with the findings of Vadysinghe et al where the most affected region of the body was the head where they have described a similar mechanism of causation of injuries. 21 Three-wheelers are included in the term "traffic" defined in section 240 of the motor traffic act of Sri Lanka.…”

“…studies in the central province where the most vulnerable group was identified as 20-29 years among victims of all road traffic accidents and 21 -30 years in a study conducted on three-wheeler crashes. 5,13,14,15 The commonest type of incident seen was toppling of the vehicle. 5 However, a study done in the western province revealed that a majority of three-wheeler crashes were due to impact with another vehicle.…”

“…11 Abrasions were identified as commonest type of injury in occupants of threewheelers, motorcyclists and motor car passengers in another study. 13 Surface injuries caused by shattered glass seen in other vehicular accidents are rarely seen among victims of three-wheeler crashes. Injuries to the limbs which were the commonest in our study were similar to the injuries sustained by passengers of motorcycles.…”

“…1 This is highlighted by the male predominance in our sample as well among occupants of other types of vehicle accidents, in other studies conducted in the Kandy and Anuradhapura districts of Sri Lanka and in countries like India. 13,14,15 In our study population the 21…”