PROFILE OF VICTIMS AND OFFENDING VEHICLES IN FATAL ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN WESTERN MAHARASHTRA - AN AUTOPSY STUDY

Background: Road traffic accidents are a leading cause of death in young and productive age group of society. The pedestrian deaths and two wheeler rider and pillion deaths are a cause of rising concern in urban centres. The paper brings forward the profile of victims who suffered fatal road traffic accident deaths and the offending vehicles which were the causation agents. Aims and Objectives:To study the profile of victims of fatal road traffic accident cases and the offending vehicles and its relationship to various related factors. Results: The study was done to study the profile of victims of road traffic accident fatalities in Western Maharashtra. The study was done for period of 18 months involving 120 cases. All the 120 autopsy cases involved in research were studied with the profile of victims and the offending vehicle. The study shows that that maximum number of fatal victims of road traffic accidents were pedestrians (n = 44, 36.67 %). Two wheeler riders were second (n = 31, 25.83 %), two wheeler pillion riders were third in number (n = 10, 8.33 %). Amongst pedestrians, heavy vehicles (truck and bus) caused 43.1 %of the casualties. Light vehicles (jeep, car, tractor, tempo and auto rickshaw) caused 54.6 % of the casualties and the least casualties were by motor cycles (2.3 %). Maximum fatalities were caused by Heavy vehicles (Trucks n = 48, 40 % and Buses n = 19, 15. 83 %). Light vehicles responsible were Tempo (n = 14, 11.67 %), Tractor and Jeep each (n = 5, 4.17 %), Auto Rickshaw (n = 8, 6.67 %) and Car (n = 9, 7.5 %).Other vehicles were Two Wheeler (n = 11, 9.17 %), Pedal Cyclist and Unknown vehicle were one each. Conclusion: It may be said that pedestrians and two wheeler riders are most vulnerable to RTAs and necessary preventive measures need to be undertaken to control the epidemic.