Harnam Singh

Epidemiological Study of Fatal Road Traffic Accident in Haryana India Harnam Singh

India has the highest number of road accidents in the world. Road accidents have earned India a dubious distinction, with over 135,000 deaths annually. The country has overtaken china and now has the worst road traffic accident rate worldwide. Every hour, 40 people under the age of 25 die in road accidents around the globe. This is the second important cause of death for 5 to 29 years old. In India death toll is 14 deaths per hour (2009) i.e. 4 deaths /min. While trucks and two wheelers were responsible for over 40% of deaths. Peak traffic during the afternoon and evening rush hour is most dangerous time to be on roads. In victims dying within half an hour of the accident, multiple injuries involving head; chest and abdomen were common including fractures of skull associated with lacerations of brain, liver and lungs. In victims surviving up to one week, the incidence of subdural haematoma and herniation of brain increased whereas incidence of lacerations of brain, liver, lung decreased.