Study of pattern of injuries sustained by two-wheeler drivers in a tertiary care hospital of Bhopal city

Abstract

Background: Road Traffic Accident (RTA) is one of the major causes of death and disability in India, especially among two-wheeler drivers due to over speeding, carelessness, stunts on road, ignorance of safety measures and alcohol. It accounts for considerable loss of the nation in terms of life and property. Objectives: To study the pattern of injuries among two-wheeler drivers in relation to different parameters in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Bhopal City. Material and Methods: The present study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital of Bhopal city. All the 2-wheeler drivers who were victims of Road traffic accidents & who reported to the emergency department of the study place during study period (from 1 st January to 31 st December 2017) were included in the study. Various parameters like age, gender of the victims, time of accident, seasonal variations, factor responsible for accident, types of injury sustained by the victims in relation to the use of helmet while driving and consumption of alcohol, duration of stay in the hospital and outcome of different injuries were considered. Results: There was a clear-cut male preponderance (85.21%) with maximum involvement of younger age groups (21-30 Years). Most of the accidents have been taken place in evening hours (6 pm to 12 midnight). The type of injury sustained in majority of cases was multiple injuries followed by head injury, among them most of the victims (79.68%) were not wearing the helmet. The most common factor responsible for the accidents (34.25%) was Rash Driving. Conclusion: Due to increasing population, increasing number of vehicles and over-burdened traffic, the incidence of RTA is rising especially in two-wheeler drivers and passengers. There is loss of productive and young lives of Country. It is very common to consume alcohol, not using protective measures, reckless driving, crossing the red signal especially in younger generation due to increasing work load of education and employment.