Pedestrian Deaths in Oslo Traffic Accidents

Abstract

A 10-year series of 168 pedestrians fatally injured in traffic accidents is discussed. Only one-quarter were women. Necropsy was carried out in 88%. The mortality rate is shown by a typical T-shaped curve. Multiple injuries were common. On average, each patient had 2.4 body areas seriously injured. Head injury was the principal cause of death, but thoraco-abdominal injuries were also frequent, and their importance is stressed. Aspiration of blood or of gastric contents or of both into the airways was common. This complication has to be watched for. A thorough search must be made to exclude serious internal injuries. Not only motorists but also pedestrians must be made more traffic-minded. In this series 20% of the pedestrians fatally injured were found to be intoxicated and 66% had themselves initiated the chain of events which led to the accident. © 1964, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.