Pattern of Road Traffic Accidents in Bhubaneswar, Odisha

IntroductionThe surge in motorization coupled with expansion of the road network has brought with it the challenge of addressing adverse factors, such as the increase in Road accidents in India. Significant variation exists within the country. Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, has seen liberalized economic policies of the government, increasing purchasing power of the people, and easy availability of the loans, which have contributed to the changing transportation system and increase vulnerability to Road Traffic Accidents (RTA). The present study aims to establish the baseline information on RTA in Bhubaneswar.Objectives(1) To estimate the incidence and distribution of RTA in the year 2012. (2) To determine the epidemiological variations of accidents in the city. (3) To suggest recommendations to the traffic police and administration.MethodologyIt is a descriptive secondary data analysis of police records of reported RTA of the year January–December 2012 collected from all the police stations within the administrative region of Bhubaneswar, urban and rural inclusive. The data thus collected were analyzed for various epidemiologic factors, which were found contributory to the accidents.ResultsTotal number of RTA reported for the year was 625, thus accounting for the incidence of vehicular accidents for Bhubaneswar city, which had a 9.07/10,000 population; majority of the accidents had occurred during 9–12 am in both urban and rural areas. Grievous injury accounted to 38% of the total while fatality due to RTA was nearly 30%. The epidemiological trends that emerged were that 84% occurred in urban areas and mainly on the National Highways (46.7%); 18% of RTA occurred during rainfall, though no significant association could be made out and much is attributed to under reporting of data; motor cars (37%) and trucks (19.1%) were predominately involved. Majority of the victims were in the productive age group, 18–24, years and mainly constituted males (68%). Data were analyzed for statistical inferences using proportions and graphs. Recommendations were shared with the Traffic police department and Health departments and it was suggested that yearly trends may be discussed so that problem areas may be identified and action initiated.ConclusionThe results hint at the necessity for routine analysis of the police records in a collaborative and integrated approach across many sectors like health, traffic police, transport, and law enforcers.