Filiz Bolu

Traffic accidents and risk factors: evaluation of traffic accidents occurred in Düzce -

Aim: To investigate epidemiological characteristics of road traffic accidents that occurred in the city center of Duzce in 2011 and to evaluate causes of accidents. Methods: In this retrospective study data were obtained from “Official Traffic Accidents Form” that were filled by the Police Officers at the minutes of detections of the accidents occurred in 2011 and analyzed. Results: Total 623 traffic accidents were occurred and 291 of them caused damage to property and 332 of them caused mortality or injury in the year of 2011. At the accidents in which the drivers male were caused more mortality or injury. Accidents that caused damage to property occurred more often during the winter months and takes place in December and September, mortal-injury accidents were more frequent at September, October, November months and Autumn. Accidents caused both mortality or injuries and damage to property occured mostly in the open air. Accidents that caused damage to property occurred more often during Tuesdays and Wednesdays and mortal-injury accidents were more frequent at Saturdays. Conclusion: Traffic accident of time, place, road and air condition, characteristics of the person who accident is effective in the occurrence of traffic accidents. A holistic approach should be taken for the prevention of traffic accident