A Study on Pillion Rider Fatalities in Motorised Two-Wheeler Road Traffic Accidents

Abstract

The number of road traffic fatalities increases each year. Many of these accidents involve riders and pillion riders of motorised two wheelers. The study aimed to analyse fatal two-wheeler road traffic accidents and their association with regard to gender, seating position,  mode of injury, the pattern of injuries and other parameters based on 73 pillion rider fatalities subjected to medico-legal autopsy. Most of  the pillion decedents were females, accounting for 44 (60.27%) cases. Side-saddle was the preferred seating position in 44 (60.27%) cases,  of which 43 were female. Mode of injury in 36 (49.31%) cases was due to self-fall. Fractures were predominantly present in the posterior  cranial fossa in 40.9% (18) females. Many of the cases were due to sudden brake applied by the rider, putting the side saddle rider in a  vulnerable position as they cannot grip anything to prevent/break their fall, causing fatalities. Valuable suggestions have been proposed to  promote safety measures and reduce mortality in pillion riders.