Characteristics of the victims of traffic accidents in a city of the southern region of Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the magnitude of morbidity and mortality and describe some of the characteristics of road accident victims. METHODS: The study population was composed of 3,643 victims of road accidents which occurred in Londrina, PR (Brazil), during the first semester of 1996. There were included victims from accidents registered by the Military Police, those who died at the accident scenario or on their way to the hospital, those who received emergency care or were hospitalized through the Unified Care System. It was observed a period of 180 days for death verification. RESULTS: The mean incidence and mortality rates were 1,582.2 and 29. 0 per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively. These rates, however, have demonstrated great variability in relation to several characteristics (place of residence, gender, age and the victim's mode of transport). The majority of victims were motorcyclists, followed by cyclists and pedestrians who, altogether, accounted for 76.9% of the total, and 81.5% of those who died. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that road accidents constitute a major cause of morbidity and mortality and that specific preventive measures should be considered in order to reduce such accidents, especially those that involve the most vulnerable road passers.