Epidemiological Study of the Suburban Accident Mortalities Recorded in Golestan, Iran in 2015

Background and objectives: Road accidents are one of the most important causes of mortality and severe physical and psychological damage which may lead to adverse social, cultural and economic consequences in the human community. Frequency and severity of road accidents in developing countries are noticeably higher in comparison to developed countries. In Iran, 25% of casualties are due to the abnormal deaths caused by road accidents. It is estimated that more than 22,000 people die due to road accidents every year. The present study aimed to epidemiologically investigate the mortality rate of suburban accidents in Golestan province, Iran. Methods: This crosssectional study was conducted using a descriptive approach. Required data were obtained from the traffic police of Golestan province. In total, 2,922 cases of road accidents were investigated in Golestan province in 2015. The analyzed data included the demographic characteristics of the deceased and the environmental and geographical conditions of the accident. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 20. Results: Among 2,922 road accidents in Golestan province, 251 cases led to the death of 317 individuals. Most of the accidents leading to death were by automobiles (69.7%) and due to distraction from the road (33.1%), which occurred on main roads (47.8%). Moreover, 29.7% of guilty drivers had not fastened seatbelts. Motorcycle riders and car passengers accounted for the highest percentage of accident victims (30.6% and 25.5%, respectively). Conclusion: Education and emphasis on the use of seatbelts and motorcycle helmets while driving seem essential to reducing the injuries caused by road traffic accidents. Considering that most road accidents occur due to the distraction of the driver from the road, changing traffic behaviors to improve discipline is of paramount importance.