OBJECTIVETo analyze the crash and injury data in forensic medicine for years of 2004-2007.

METHODSA sample of over 567 accident cases (9 pedestrians, 116 bicyclists, and 442 motor vehicle occupants) was considered from the Department of Forensic Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, involving drivers of all ages and covering a four-year period.

RESULTSThe male fatality rates were significantly higher than female ones. The groups at 15-30 years old and at 30-55 years old had the first and second highest numbers of deaths (40% and 34%, respectively). There were substantial differences in distribution of injuries in motor vehicle occupants and pedestrians and bicyclists. Among motor vehicle occupants, there were more head injuries, such as skull fracture, brain contusion, subdural haemorrhage, and epidural haemorrhage. Nearly 77% of fatalities occurred during 08:00-22:00 in Sirjan. Internal bleeding was also higher in motor vehicle occupants. Pedestrians and bicyclists also had head injuries frequently.

CONCLUSIONSIn spite of reduction of road traffic fatalities in Sirjan in 2007, it is still one of the cities with high road traffic fatality in the world. These results underline the importance of preventive strategies in transportation, suggesting that different methods are necessary to reduce fatalities of various traffic participants.

Accidents, Traffic ; mortality ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Bicycling ; Female ; Humans ; Iran ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Motor Vehicles ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of mobile phone and seat belt use in driving in college students aged 18-24 years.

METHODSThe study consisted of two phases. In the first phase, a questionnaire was given to 265 college students. The sample contained 188 males and 77 females. In the second phase, the data pertaining to road accident injuries from March 20, 2007 to March 20, 2008 were collected from Bahonar Central Hospital in Kerman, Iran, and analyzed.

RESULTSThere were 14.0% of male and 19.0% of female participants traveled belted while driving on urban roads. It indicated that the participants unbelted or using mobile phone were more involved in accidents in last three years. This study also revealed that 19.0% of male and 4.2% of female drivers considered using mobile phone in driving not hazardous. The highest injury and property damage crash rates were 87 and 137 per 100 000 inhabitants, which occured in male group aged 18-24 years. And 30% of all fatalities were 19-24 years old.

CONCLUSIONSMore than 50% of college students traveled unbelted. The females were less involved in road accident injuries. The college students aged 18-24 years had the highest percentages of trauma and head injury.

Accidents, Traffic ; statistics & numerical data ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Cell Phone ; utilization ; Female ; Humans ; Iran ; epidemiology ; Male ; Prevalence ; Seat Belts ; utilization ; Students ; Universities