Deaths, injuries and pattern of motorcycle accident victims in the city of Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: a characteristics analysis of the injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents in Sorocaba. Method: filling out forms for data analysis. Results: 754 reports studied being 77.8% male and 22.2% female predominantly aged 20-29(57.5%). 88.8% of the victims were wearing helmets. The vast majority of victims being motorcyclists (83%). The accident occurrence episodes happening from Monday through Sunday, respectively 13.0%, 13.1%, 14.72%,14.9%,16.7%,14.3% 14.1%. As for time, there were peak hours between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. (6%), 12:00 and 1:00 p.m. (6.5%) and at 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. (77%). The leading causes being motorcycles x cars (60.9%) and motorcyclists´ falls (21%). 96% of these occurrences happening in urban areas. As to the injuries, the main ones consisting of contusions (64.6%), bruises (51.1%), cuts (22.2%) and closed fractures (14.7%) [MMI(66.8%), MMS(45.8%) and skull (16.3%)]; 94.4% of the victims being graded 15 according to the Glasgow Comma Scale and 13% with indications of alcoholism. As of June 20, 2008 there has been a drop of 12.2% in the number of victims. Conclusion: there has been a predominance of male victims being young adults, riding motorcycles and wearing helmets. There is also a close relationship between the time occurrence and commuting. As to the lesions, there has been a predominance of contusive cut wounds and bruises, especially in the head and limbs. There has also been a suggestive drop in the number of accidents after the passing of the law nº 11.705/2008 suggesting alcohol as an important factor in the causing of these accidents.