title: A geographic information system to study trauma epidemiology in India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Geographic Information Systems (GIS) describe the topography and chronology of events in a defined vector space. GIS may also be used for an integrated analysis of environmental and road-related risk factors for traffic accidents.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective study, various features of 165 road crashes were linked to a GIS-generated digital map of an area close to a national highway in India. By overlay tools, clusters of accidents were identified, and color-coded according to accident mechanisms and injury patterns.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Spatial analysis revealed a cluster with a high incidence of motorbike injuries resulting in fractures. Examination of the spot demonstrated the risky combination of a speed breaker and a broken traffic light. After fixing the light, no further accidents occurred at the site.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GIS is a promising technology for geo-referencing accident data, and may be a valuable tool to identify areas of priority for injury prevention in India.
authors.affiliation: NIIDAAN Ortho Centre, Nagpur, India. bagariavaibhav@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Vaibhav
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bagaria
authors.forename: Saurabh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bagaria