Analysis of 47 road traffic accident admissions to BMH Shaibah

To analyse road traffic accident (RTA) admissions to British Military Hospital (BMH) Shaibah with respect to seatbelt usage, position in vehicle, age, type of injury and mechanism of injury.

Retrospective analysis of discharge summaries and hospital notes of all service personnel admitted to BMH Shaibah due to RTA, from August 2003 to January 2004. Results During the study there were 315 reported RTA, 3 fatalities, and 47 inpatient admissions. 87% of admissions were male; in 32% of cases the vehicle had rolled and 28% of individuals admitted had been ejected from the vehicle. 85% of individuals had not been wearing their seatbelts and none of the ejected individuals had been restrained. 92% of those ejected were travelling in the rear of the Land Rover. Of those ejected, 38% suffered more than one type of injury, and 62% suffered a fracture, (accounting for 50% of all fractures admitted). 34% of admissions had sustained a fracture, and were evacuated to the UK.

These figures correlate well with previous evidence showing the likelihood of serious injury is increased by more than 300% if the patient is ejected. Those travelling in the rear of a Land Rover would appear to be in the most dangerous position. Seatbelts are the single most effective means of reducing fatal and non-fatal injuries in motor vehicle accidents. Standing orders states that seatbelt use mandatory, but compliance is poor. This may be due to misconceptions on the relative dangers faced by soldiers in Iraq. Education and enforcement needs to be more effective if the Army is to reduce the number and seriousness of injuries attributable to RTA.