Analysis of the causes and circumstances of death in child traffic accident victims based on autopsy material from the Department of Forensic Medicine in Białystok between 2002 and 2021.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze the causes and circumstances of death among child victims of traffic accidents up to 17 years of age, based on forensic autopsy results conducted between 2002 and 2021 at the Department of Forensic Medicine in Białystok. The analysis was conducted on a group of 123 child traffic accident victims, based on data from 8,241 autopsy reports, representing 1.49% of all forensic autopsies performed during the study period. Cases were examined with regard to the victims' sex, road activity, age, place of death, place of residence, season, day of the week, type of injuries sustained, cause of death, and blood alcohol content. The collected data were statistically processed according to established classification criteria and presented in both descriptive and graphical form. The analysis of 123 autopsy reports revealed that the average age of the victims was 11.7 years, and 65.85% of the deceased were male. The highest mortality rate was observed among passengers, who accounted for 44.72% of all deaths, followed by pedestrians, representing 31.7% of cases. Fatal traffic accidents involving children occurred most frequently in August and September (each accounting for 17% of total deaths), and on Sundays (23% of cases). Sixty-six percent of the victims died at the scene of the accident, with fatal cranio-cerebral injuries identified as the leading cause of death in 85% of cases. A total of 10 deceased children aged 14 to 17 were found to have been under the influence of alcohol. The study results indicate the need for continued educational campaigns targeting children, parents, and drivers - particularly in relation to risky behaviors on the road, such as underage driving or careless movement on foot or by bicycle. Strengthening legal regulations and improving road infrastructure, especially in urban areas where the risk of accidents is higher, may also prove beneficial.