PROFILE OF ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT CASES ADMITTED IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, VISAKHAPATNAM, ANDHRA PRADESH

BACKGROUND: Road Traffic accidents are the 9 th leading cause of deaths in the World and are estimated to become the 5 th leading cause of death by 2020. In India, in the year 2011, a total of 4,40,123 road accidents and 1,36,834 deaths were reported. The present Study was conducted to study the influence of various human and environmental factors on the occurrence of road traffic accidents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Cross sectional Hospital based study was conducted among 250 road traffic accident victims who were admitted in King George Hospital in a study period of 6 months. RESULTS: Males were predominantly involved (78%). Majority (53.6%) were in the age group of 21-40 years. Collision between two vehicles (37.2%) was the commonest mode of RTA and 37.9% of vehicles were motorized two wheelers. Nearly one-sixth of the drivers do not possess driving license. 21.6% admitted that they were under the influence of alcohol prior to the accident. Helmet usage was very minimal (4.25%). Excess speed was reported in majority of cases (64.4%).Maximum numbers of accidents were reported on weekends (38%).One-third of the accidents (30.4%) took place on highways. CONCLUSIONS: Economically productive men were predominantly involved. Motorized two wheelers and three wheelers were commonly involved vehicles in accidents. Excess speed, influence of alcohol, anxiety to reach destination were the precipitating causes for the accident.