Effect on morbidity and mortality in position inside the vehicle in traffic accidents

Traffic accidents are still an important public health issue in our country and intra-vehicle accidents cause substantial morbidity and mortality. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effect of seating position on morbidity and mortality in traffic accidents. Cases who have applied to Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Emergency Department between 01.05.2014 and 30.11.2014 due to injuries in motor vehicles and who have signed inform consent were included in the study. Data were obtained via personal interview surveys and from patient files. 519 cases were included in the study, 329 (%63.4) being male and 190 (%36.6) being female. Ages ranged between 0-85, average age was found to be 33.11±16.86. It was noted that the accidents most frequently occurred between the hours 18.00-23.59 (%36.3), with a car (%79) and as a collision with another car (%61.7). Data revealed that %43.2 (n=224) of the cases had their seat belt fastened during the accident and injuries due to seat belt were identified on %17.9 (n=40) of them. For 105 of the cases, airbags had inflated and injuries due to airbag were noted on %31.4 of them. While %39.5 of the injured individuals were drivers, %26.4 were front seat passengers. From a forensic medicine perspective; "life threatening injuries" were approximately twice more common (%37.5 - %13.6) in accidents with over 110 km/h speed compared to accidents with under 110 km/h speed. Accidents with over 110 km/h speed caused approximately twice the amount (%56.3 - %26.3) of "injuries which can not be resolved with simple medical intervention" compared to accidents with under 110 km/h speed. Head injuries were the most common with %33.6 followed by chest injuries with %17. Head injuries were more common in children (p<0.01); neck (p<0.05), chest (p<0.01) and upper extremity (p<0.05) injuries were more common in adults. No neck injuries were noted for cases sitting on somebody's lap and middle rear seat (p<0.05). Road transportation is more commonly utilized compared to its alternatives in our country and therefore issues associated with traffic accidents are more frequently experienced. Since most people who were injured or deceased in traffic accidents have an active professional life; significant rehabilitation expenditure and labor loss occur besides diagnosis and treatment costs. Our study and similar studies not only show the effectiveness of the measures taken but also provide an insight into changing injury profiles and precautions to prevent them.