A study to evaluate risk factors among drivers involved in non-fatal road traffic accidents

Abstract

Background: The gradual rise and peak in the graph of mortality and morbidity as a resultant effect of road traffic accidents (RTAs) have been a matter of immense concern worldwide. RTA induced injuries may stand as the second highest cause of disability- adjusted life years in most of the developing countries by 2020. In India, RTAs are mainly due to carelessness and disregard to the traffic as well as safety rules and hence are preventable. Thus, the present study was carried out to identify risk factors and situations associated with drivers of non-fatal RTAs with a prospective to explore preventability. Methods: A cross-sectional study interviewing drivers admitted to tertiary care hospital, using a predesigned and pretested proforma to identify risk factors and situations involved in RTAs. Descriptive statistics was applied to assess the nature of vehicle involved, risk factors and association between two attributes was calculated by Chi square test and odds ratio (OR). Results and Conclusion: Out of 311 injured drivers, 82.32% were between the age group of 15-45 years. Most of drivers were driving motor cycles (61.74%). Of the motorcyclists who used helmets, majority (92.31%) escaped head injury (OR: 3.94; 95 % CI: 0.92 to 16.91). Other important factors associated with accidents included increased utility of two-wheelers by the youth, over speeding and alcoholism. Also, a delay in first aid delivery services accounted for increase in the morbidity associated with RTAs. Thus, violation of statutory traffic regulations can be linked with considerable number of RTAs, which suggests priority area of intervention.