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To investigate post-crash time management by police.The retrospective study comprised data related to all road traffic crashes from March 2009 to March 2010 in Sistan and Baluchistan province of Iran. Data was retrieved from the standard national form designed for road traffic crashes completed by police officers present at the scene. SPSS 15 was used for statistical analysis.The median time for police to be informed in the total 2442 accidents was 10 minutes and the police response time was 15-20 minutes for non-fatal cases, while the corresponding duration for fatal cases was 15 minutes and 30 minutes (p0.001). Police arrival was not dependent on road condition (p=0.178).Police arrival at the crash scene was beyond the average response time by Emergency Medical Services in Iran. It is vital to provide quicker ways of informing the police and to have more police stations along the highways.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, the epidemiologic aspects of road traffic crashes in South East of Iran are described.METHODS: This cross-sectional study included the profile of 2398 motor vehicle crashes recorded in the police office in one Year in South East of Iran. Data collected included: demographics, the type of crash, type of involved vehicle, location of crash and factors contributing to the crash. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.RESULTS: Collisions with other vehicles or objects contributed the highest proportion (62.4%) of motor vehicle crashes. Human factors including careless driving, violating traffic laws, speeding, and sleep deprivation/fatigue were the most important causal factors accounting for 90% of road crashes. Data shows that 41% of drivers were not using a seat belt at the time of crash. One- third of the crashes resulted in injury (25%) or death (5%).CONCLUSIONS: Reckless driving such as speeding and violation of traffic laws are major risk factors for crashes in the South East of Iran. This highlights the need for education along with traffic law enforcement to reduce motor vehicle crashes in future.

Background:: Motor vehicle crashes (MVC) are considered to be the most common safety challenge, causing more than a million deaths worldwide annually. Objectives:: The current study was aimed at identifying the etiological role of human and vehicle safety factors in road crashes, and their effects on the severity of injury and fatality in the Sistan and Baluchistan Province, South East Iran. Patients and Methods:: In this study, 2 703 MVC recorded at the police office during one year period, were reviewed. The profile of the crashes was comprised of data that included; demographic characteristics of the injured persons in a MCV, type of crash, type of vehicles involved, location of crash, as well as human, environmental and mechanical factors which contributed to the crash. Data were analysed using binary and multinomial logistic regressions. Results:: After adjusting for confounding factors, vehicles with passengers were 33% more likely to have a crash. Furthermore, pickup trucks and heavy trucks increased the chance of causing a crash, 1.66 and 1.84 times more than saloon cars, respectively. Vehicles made after 2005 had twice the risk of causing a crash than those made in 1980 or before. In addition, in a multivariate model; drivers age, type of vehicle and circumstances of car damage were contributing factors to the severity of injury. Conclusions:: Type and age of the car, the presence of passengers and the degree of damage to the car were the determinant factors for car crashes, and consequent severity of injury in the study area. Educational programs must be directed at promoting public knowledge about the consequences of their behavior as either a passenger or driver.