Abstract:

INTRODUCTION: With the increase in the number of vehicles in parallel with the increase in the number of people, traffic accidents have become a social problem that causes significant mortality and morbidity throughout the world. The aim of this study is to examine the deaths in traffic accidents and to discuss what can be done to reduce fatal accidents by evaluating the age, gender, injury localization, seasonal changes of accidents, type of injury area of the accident, such as inside or outside the vehicle. METHODS: In our study, autopsy and death examination documents related to traffic accidents that occurred between 01.01.2011 and 31.12.2012 were evaluated retrospectively. It was determined that 413 (22%) of the 1900 forensic death cases that occurred in the 2 years included in the study were due to traffic accidents. RESULTS: The male-female ratio of the cases was 2.7:1 (n=304, n=109) with the most common 23.5% (n=97) between the ages of 20-29, and male gender was dominant among all age groups, 41%, Autopsy was performed on 6 (n=172) cases, and 58.4% (n=241) did not. The most frequent deaths were in the passenger position with 47.7% (n=197), followed by the driver position with 38.7% (n=160) outside the vehicle and at least 13.6% (n=56) in the vehicle driver position. seen. It was found that 39.2% (n=162) of them were at the scene, 37.8% (156) of them were admitted to the hospital, and 23% (n=95) of them died in the hospital. Seasonally, it was seen that it was most common in summer with a total of 30.5% (n=126) and the least in winter with a total of 14.8% (n=61). It was observed that the most common non-vehicle deaths were in the 0-9 age range (n=50). When the fractures were evaluated, it was seen that skull fractures were the most common with 49.2% (n=203). The most common cause of death in accidents was brain injury with 71.2% (n=294), followed by lung injury with 50.6% (n=209). CONCLUSION: Traffic accidents are still an important health problem all over the world. It is known that traffic accidents can be prevented by training from a very young age. Compliance with traffic rules and raising awareness of seat belt use, including rear seat passengers, are the primary steps to prevent accidents. It is important to be careful about sidewalks that will provide easy movement for the elderly or the disabled, and to prevent children from leaving the road, to expand children's playgrounds, to raise the awareness of playing in the garden of their house, in terms of preventing accidents. Adults should use a child seat during the movement of children with the vehicle or children should be protected with appropriate belt ties

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