Medicolegal Aspects of Road Traffic Accidents

Abstract

Objective: To educate public about traffic rules regarding safety and civic responsibility.
Inculcate awareness of social as well as legal consequences of violation

Methods: A prospective descriptive study for the year 2016 was conducted. Inclusion criteria
was all the volunteer available ethic individuals of any gender and age involved in road accidents
whether as pedestrian, vehicle driver or occupants, brought in Services Hospital, Lahore.
Exclusionary candidates were who refused consent for medicolegal examination. A structured,
meticulously designed questionnaire was used to collect information; demographic profile, age,
sex, types of injuries, mode of injury, time of occurrence, status of victim were included.

Results: Of the 529 RTI cases visiting, Services hospital casualty Lahore for treatment purpose,
131 volunteer patients were reported to medicolegal department in year 2016. The sex
distribution depicted male predominance; 102 (78%) males victims as compared to only 29 (22%)
females with ratio of 5:1. Highest incidence of victims was seen in those belong to age group (21-
30 years) comprising of 46 (35%). Highest incidence of victims were young students (18%)
followed by laborers (16%). It was observed that highest percentage of RTAs happened during
(08.00 to 11.59) (29%) and the least percentage (8%) occurred after mid night during (00.01 to
03.59).
Conclusions: Civic irresponsibility and ignorance of traffic rules is the main root cause of most
road traffic accidents. Apublic awareness campaign regarding safety in abiding the law should be
enforced on regular basis at academic level educating public at every level inclusive of print and
electronic media promotion strategies