Road traffic fatalities among pedestrians, bicyclists and motor vehicle occupants in Sirjan, Kerman, Iran.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the crash and injury data in forensic medicine for years of 2004-2007.

METHODS

A sample of over 567 accident cases (9 pedestrians, 116 bicyclists, and 442 motor vehicle occupants) was considered from the Department of Forensic Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, involving drivers of all ages and covering a four-year period.

RESULTS

The male fatality rates were significantly higher than female ones. The groups at 15-30 years old and at 30-55 years old had the first and second highest numbers of deaths (40% and 34%, respectively). There were substantial differences in distribution of injuries in motor vehicle occupants and pedestrians and bicyclists. Among motor vehicle occupants, there were more head injuries, such as skull fracture, brain contusion, subdural haemorrhage, and epidural haemorrhage. Nearly 77% of fatalities occurred during 08:00-22:00 in Sirjan. Internal bleeding was also higher in motor vehicle occupants. Pedestrians and bicyclists also had head injuries frequently.

CONCLUSIONS

In spite of reduction of road traffic fatalities in Sirjan in 2007, it is still one of the cities with high road traffic fatality in the world. These results underline the importance of preventive strategies in transportation, suggesting that different methods are necessary to reduce fatalities of various traffic participants.