Download - forensic medicine

JIAFM, 2007 - 29(4); ISSN: 0971-0973
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References:
A Review of Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities
*Dr. Harnam Singh, MD, DNB, **Dr. S.K. Dhattarwal, MD. *Dr. Shilekh Mittal, MD, DNB. *Dr. Akashdeep
Aggarwal, MD, DNB. *Dr. Gauray Sharma, MD. *Dr. Rahul Chawla, MD.
*Assistant Professor, Forensic Medicine, MM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Mullana
(Ambla).
**Professor, Forensic Medicine, PTBD Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak (Haryana)
Abstract
Pedestrians injured in automobile accidents constitute one of the most frequent serious problems in management
for emergency room surgeons. The incidence of deaths in pedestrians is significantly higher than in other road
users. This study attempted to analyse the pattern of injuries sustained by 129 pedestrians in road traffic
accidents. It was found that the pedestrians were the commonest group of victims involved in fatal road accidents
comprising 28.7% of all cases. 83.7% cases were males. There were two peaks of incidence in relation to age;
one at childhood (20.9%) and the other in elderly (19.37%). Cars and heavy vehicles were the commonest
offending agents comprising 41.9% and 31.8% respectively. The pedestrians themselves were at fault in 43.4%
cases. Head injury was seen in 80% cases; followed by lower limb fractures (42.6%), and chest injury (38.8%).
The cause of death was head injury in 56.6% cases followed by thoraco-abdominal injuries in 8.5% cases and
multiple injuries in 7.8% cases.
Key Words: Road Traffic Accidents, Pedestrians, injuries.
Introduction:
Pedestrians are the common road users in India.
With increasing traffic on roads has lead to major
fatalities of pedestrians. The incidence of death in
pedestrians is significantly higher then in car
occupants or motor cyclists in road accidents which
are further increasing at an alarming rate. Road side
accidents constitute one of the most frequent
serious problems in management for emergency
room surgeons. Since pedestrian deaths are one of
the leading causes of our country an attempt is
made to study the pattern of injury by examining
dead victims.
Material and Methods:
Material for the study consisted of 129 pedestrian
death victims over a period of one year. Out of total
450 accident victims, 129 were pedestrians. In all
these cases detailed information was recorded from
relatives, police inquest papers, hospital records and
eye witnesses. Detailed post-mortem examination
was carried out to record external and internal
injuries. The data thus obtained was analysed.
Result:
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