Abstract

Introduction: The development of science in various aspects of human life has evolved far more superior, sophisticated and lethal weapon of assault. The motorized transportation media like vehicles, trains, aero planes etc. with fast moving vehicular traffic, vast urbanization and changing social patterns have contributed to increase in the incidence of trauma to human body. In spite of all the advantages that motorcycles have, motorcyclists form a large proportion of those injured or killed on the roads. Socio­demographic factors play important role in deciding standard of living and safety measures available for any population group. Present study was carried out to find relation between various socio­demographic factors in head injury victims died in two wheeler accidents which will be helpful for implementation of preventive measures. Material and Methods: The present autopsy based study was conducted over a period of two years from 1st Oct 2012 to 30th Sept 2014 in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Government Medical College Latur, Maharashtra, India. All autopsy cases of head injury involved in two wheeler accidents were included in the study. Detailed history was taken and post­mortem examination was carried out. Head injury victims died in two wheeler accidents during study period selected and studied for its relation with various sociodemographic factors. Results: Out of total 1706 autopsies conducted by the department during study period, 95 (05.57%) cases were of death due to head injury in two wheeler accidents. Out of total 95 cases, maximum deaths i.e. 55 (47.37%) occurred between 21­40 years of age group and 78 (82.1%) were males. Married victims were 73 (76.84%). Maximum victims i.e. 89 (93.68%) were literate and most of the victims i.e. 67 (70.53%) died due to accidents occurred in urban area. Victims from lower socio­economic group were commonly involved. Not a single rider/pillion had worn helmet at the time of incidence. Conclusion: Legal code alone is unlikely to be effective in changing motorcyclist’s behaviour. There is an urgent need of public education and awareness about safety measures to be followed while driving. Guiding and implementing traffic related rules through counselling, health education, road shows, use of electronic and print media etc will have a great effect in controlling these accidents. Strict obedience of traffic rules can save the life of most of the victims.

• 1.   Two Wheelers, Evolution, History [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2014 Nov 4]. Available from URL: http:// autob.indiamart.com/two­wheelers/history­2w.html.
• 2.   World Health Organization. Global status report on road safety 2013: Supporting a decade of action. 2013; .p.1,7,18. Available from URL: http://www.who.int/ violence_injury_prevention/road_ safety_status/ 2013/report/cover_and_ front.pdf.
• 3.   World Health Organization. Helmets: A road safety manual for decision­ makers and practitioners. WHO, Geneva, Switzerland.2006. Available from URL:http:/ /www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/ publications/road_traffic/hel met_manual.pdf.
• 4.   Solagberu BA, Ofoegbu CKP, Nasir AA, Ogundipe OK, Adekanye AO, Abdur­Rahman L. Motorcycle injuries in A developing country and the vulnerability of riders, passengers and pedestrians. Injury Prevention 2006;12:266­8.
• 5.   Government of India. Road transport year book (2011­12). Ministry of shipping, road transport & highways. Transport research wing. New Delhi 2013 Nov; P. i, ii. Available from URL: http://morth.nic.in /showfile.asp?lid=1131.
• 6.   Pruthi N, Chandramouli BA, Sampath S, Devi BI. Patterns of head injury among drivers and pillion riders of motorized two­wheeled vehicles in Bangalore. Indian Journal of Neurotrauma 2010:7(2); 123­8.
• 7.   Sharma BR, Harish D, Singh G, Vij K. Patterns of fatal head injury in road traffic accidents. Bahrain Med Bull 2003;25(1):22­5.
• 8.   Behera C, Rautji R, Lalwani S, Dogra TD. A comprehensive study of motorcycle fatalities in South Delhi. J Indian Acad Forensic Med 2009;31(1):6­10.
• 9.   Jha S, Yadav BN, Karn A, Aggrawal A, Gautam AP. Epidemiological study of fatal head injury in road traffic accident cases: a study from BPKIHS, Dharan. Health Renaissance 2010 May­Aug;8(2):97­101.
• 10.   Surendar J, Siva Ranjan D. A Comprehensive study of fatal head injuries among motorcyclists: a one year prospective study. IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR­JDMS) 2013;10(4):88­101.
• 11.   Reddy A., Kagne R.N., Balaraman R., Sivaraman V., Diwakar S. Profiling of two­wheeler related fatal accident cases autopsied at the union territory of India–Puducherry. International Journal of Recent Trends in Science and Technology 2014;11(2):200­4.
• 12.   Sirathanout J, Kasantikul V. Mortality and injury from motorcycle collision in Phetchaburi Province. J. of Med Assoc of Thailand 2003;86:97­102.
• 13.   Radha PK, Sreegiri S, K JVS. Pattern of mortality and morbidity amongst motorized two wheeled vehicle (MTV) riders and pillions in King George hospital, Visakhapatnam. Int J Res Health Sci [Internet] 2014 Apr 30; 2(2): 501­6. Available from URL: http://www. ijrhs.com/issues.php?val=Volume2 &iss=Issue2.
• 14.   Ravikumar R. Patterns of head injuries in road traffic accidents involving two wheelers: an autopsy study. J Indian Acad Forensic Med 2013;35(4):349­52.
• 15.   Kumar S, Singh RKP. Pattern of craniocerebral injuries in fatal vehicular accidents in Patna (Bihar). J Indian Acad Forensic Med 2014;36(2):125­9.
• 16.   Ding SL, Pai L, Wang JD, Chen KT. Head injuries in traffic accidents with emphasis on the comparisons between motorcycle­helmet users and non­users, J Formos Med Assoc 1994 Mar;93(1):42­8.
• 17.   Kakeri SR, Bagali MA, Goudar ES, Qadri SY. Pattern of injuries and death sustained by the occupants of the two­wheeler during road traffic accidents. Al Ameen J Med Sci 2014;7(2):118­24.
• 18.   Honnungar RS, Aramani SC, Vijay Kumar AG, Ajay Kumar TS, Jirli PS. An epidemiological survey of fatal road traffic accidents and their relationship with head injuries. J Indian Acad Forensic Med 2011; 33(2):41­3.
• 19.   Fitzharris M, Dandona R, Kumar GA, Dandona L. Crash characteristics and patterns of injury among hospitalized motorized two­wheeled vehicle users in urban India. BMC Public Health 2009;9:11. Available from URL: http://www.biomed central.com/1471­2458/9/11.