Citation

Sozen S, Tuzun B, Fincanci SK. J. Traffic Med. 1999; 27(3-4): 91-96.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, International Association for Accident and Traffic Medicine)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Objective: Driving in alcoholic condition is one of the major causes of traffic accidents. This paper is undertaken to point out the correlation between traffic accidents and level of alcohol. Methods: 7249 autopsy cases of the Morgue Department of Istanbul, Turkey between 1994-1996 were reviewed. All death cases due to traffic accidents were examined for age, gender, lesions, special types of trauma, causes of death and blood alcohol levels. Results: Males (78.1%) were the major group of all traffic accidents. The highest incidence was at the age group of 40-49 (23.3%) among males and 60-69 (25.9%) among females. General body trauma (43.9%) was stated to be the major cause of death. Alcohol was detected in 21.9% of all traffic accident cases and according to the injury, localization 56.2% of all these cases were drivers. Conclusions: The results indicate that fatality rates demonstrated significant correlation with drinking-driving. Turkish laws concerning driving and alcohol are not very restraining. Therefore, it is not surprising that driving under the influence of alcohol is a permanent problem.

Keywords

Ethanol impaired driving