Analysis of Road Traffic Accident Deaths at a Medical College Mortuary in Sylhet

Background: Road traffic accidents (RTA) are a widespread global crisis, causing millions of deaths and innumerable injuries each year. It has become more prevalent and deadly as civilization progressed. This study aimed to analyse deaths caused by road traffic accident in Sylhet district. Methods: A retrospective study, based on autopsy records, was conducted to analyze deaths resulting from road traffic accidents at the mortuary of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College. A total of 301 autopsies were performed from January 2016 to December 2018 at this facility. Results: The majority of victims, accounting for 48.6%, were adults aged 20-49. Additionally, the death rate was notably higher among individuals aged 60 and older, at 19.6%.The incidence of deaths was higher among males, accounting for 66.1%. Injuries to the skull and scalp region were the most prevalent, occurring in 85.4% of cases, followed by injuries to the brain and spinal cord, which were observed in 76.1% of cases. The most prevalent types of injuries were bruising (92.4%) and abrasions (86.7%). The most common cause of death according to postmortem findings was haemorrhage and shock (91.4%), followed by skull injuries (77.4%) and brain injuries (62.8%). Conclusion: Addressing these common causes through education, enforcement of traffic laws, infrastructure improvements, and vehicle safety measures can help reduce the number of RTA deaths.