Victimologic study of road traffic fatalities

A retrospective postmortem study of deaths due to road traffic accidents were studied at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka, between the periods starting from 1^st January 2000 to 31^st December 2003. Out of the 230 cases, the age group commonly involved was between 21-30 years (22.2%). Male preponderance was seen (84.3%). Majority of the victims were hospitalized (90.4%) and 35.2% of the victims died within 24 hours of sustaining injuries. Two wheeler was the most common offending vehicle (30%) and the two wheeler occupant was the most common type of road user to be affected (39.6%). Large number of accidents occurred during 12.01 pm - 6 pm (35.2%). Head was the most common region to be affected (87.4%).