Pattern of accidents and injuries involving three-wheelers.
OBJECTIVE
To study the pattern of injuries and some causative factors of three-wheeler related accidents.


METHODS
Prospective descriptive study.


METHODS
Accident unit, Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Kalubowila.


METHODS
One hundred patients admitted to Colombo South Teaching Hospital with three-wheeler related accidents were interviewed, examined within 24 hours of admission and followed up by using a standard questionnaire. Detailed descriptions of the accident and the types of injuries were recorded.


RESULTS
54 accidents took place during daytime 07.00 h to 19.00 h) and the passengers were the commonest victims (40%). Soft tissue injury was the commonest injury observed (75%). The second commonest type of injury was long bone fractures (21%). Toppling due to a sudden turn of the vehicle accounted for 30% of accidents. Of 28 drivers in the study group, 25 admitted breaking the handle-lock to increase the vehicle's turning angle. Toppling due to a sudden turn was identified as the cause of the accident in all those who had interfered with the handle-lock. At the time of the accident, 89% of the drivers and 28.1% of pedestrians were under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol was related to 67.4% of the night accidents.


CONCLUSIONS
Alcohol consumption was recognised as a major contributory factor, in particular for night accidents. A strong association was observed between mechanical alteration of the vehicle's handle-lock and the risk of accident. Introduction of legislation to prohibit handle-lock alteration and strict implementation of the law regarding driving under the influence of alcohol would help to reduce three-wheeler related accidents.
de Silva
M
M
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayawardenepura, Nugegoda.
Nellihala
L P
LP
Fernando
D
D
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015541:Off-Road Motor Vehicles / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013188:Sri Lanka / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control