Blood Alcohol Concentration of Road-Users

Stojiljkovic G, Draskovic D, Simic M, Budakov B

Institute of Forensic Medicine, H Veljkova 7, 21000 Novi Sad, Yugoslavia

ABSTRACT

In our investigation we have examined material on our Institute that cover population over two million citizens. We have analyzed period of six years, among 1989-1994. During this period we have autopsied more than 6000 cases and approximately 21% was cadaver from traffic accidents.

Our Institute is also reference laboratory for determination of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for all of traffic participants. We have used equipment present in Head Space on Hewlett Pacard 5790 A Gas Chromatography.

During a 6-years period, over 1200 cadavers from traffic accidents were autopsied and 36.3% of them had a positive BAC. And most of them had a BAC below 0.5 g/kg (62%), till 2.5 g/kg had 33% and above 2.5 g/kg had 5%.

High level of positive blood samples in all of traffic participant is obviously one of the main reasons for traffic accidents. Many consequences in medical, social and economical sphere are undoubtedly sign of warning.

BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION OF ROAD-USERS

In our investigation we have examined material on our Institute that cover population over two millions citizens. We have analyzed period of six years, among 1989-1994. During this period we have autopsied 5393 corps 21% was cadaver from traffic accidents.

During this period distribution of persons killed in traffic accidents according to sex was 24.06% female and 75.94% male.

Distribution of persons killed in traffic accidents according to age would be present in Table 1.

Table 1
Distribution of Persons Killed in Traffic Accidents During the Period 1989-1994 According to Age

Age	Percent
0-9	4.21
10-19	5.50
20-29	13.57
30-39	19.49
40-49	15.55
50-59	17.17
60+	23.61

Distribution of persons killed in traffic accidents according to road-users would be present in Table 2.

Table 2
Distribution of Persons Killed in Traffic Accidents During the Period 1989-1994 According to Participant of Traffic Accident

Participant	Percent
drivers	24.36
bike drivers	22.00
pedestrians	32.20
others	21.98

During a 6-years period, 1132 cadavers from traffic accidents were autopsied and 23.37 % of them had a positive BAC.

A most of them had a BAC below 0.5 g/kg (77%), till 2.5 g/kg had 33 % and above 2.5 g/kg had 5% (Table 3).

Table 3
Distribution of Persons Killed in Traffic Accidents During the Period 1989-1994 According to Level of BAC

BAC (g/kg)	Percent
0-0.5	77
0.5-1.5	7
1.5-2.5	10
2.5+	6

In Table 4 would be present distribution of persons killed in traffic accidents according to alcoholized road-users.

Table 4
Distribution of Persons Killed in Traffic Accidents During the Period 1989-1994 According to Alcoholized Participants

Participant	Percent
drivers	28.75
bike drivers	18.50
pedestrians	30.50
others	22.25

CONCLUSIONS

In the analyzing period of six years we have examined structure of all autopsied material in our Institute, distribution of persons killed in traffic accidents according to sex and age, kind of participant in traffic accidents, and blood alcohol concentration.

Results of our research show significant level of person killed in traffic accident (21%) significant number of persons over 60 years old (23.61%) and significant level of blood alcohol concentration of pedestrians (32.2%) was present.

High level of positive blood samples in all of traffic participant is obviously one of the main reason for traffic accidents. Many consequences in medical, social and economical sphere are undoubtedly sign of warning.

REFERENCES

Eckert WG. Crash injuries on the road Forensic Medicine Saunders Co.1977 No II: 853-6

Popovic D, Bozic Lj, Stojiljkovic G, Draskovic D. Some characteristics of traffic accident trauma Acta Facultatis Medicae Naissensis, Med Fac, University of Nis 1993. No13: 56-9