Dynamics of frequency of alcohol-related fatal automobile trauma in the Saratov region from 2006 till 2017

Objective; to analyze of the dynamics of frequency of alcohol-related fatal automobile trauma in the Saratov region over the years 2006-2017. Material and Methods. The study was conducted on the basis of the results of forensic medical examinations of the corpses of persons dead in a car accident in the period from 2006 to 2017 Results. During the study period in the Saratov region slightly decreased the proportion of alcohol intoxication in traffic accidents from 35-40% (2012-2015) to 23.5% (2017). Until 2015, the frequency of alcohol intoxication with trauma in the cabin and pedestrian injury almost did not differ, making up 35-40%. By 2017, the proportion of injured pedestrians with ethanol in the blood more than twice exceeded those affected in the cabin, moreover, the structure of ethanol intoxication in pedestrians is dominated by a concentration of 2.5-3.5%o and more. Along with the decrease in the frequency of ethanol in the blood among drivers (from about 40% in 2012-2015 to 23.5% in 2017), the share of heavy ethanol intoxication decreased, which until 2012 ranged from 33 to 60%, in 2017 it decreased to 25%. The age structure of alcohol-associated automobile trauma has changed: the share of intoxication among persons of 17-30 years has decreased, has increased in age groups of 31-40 years and 41-50 years. Conclusion. During the twelve-year period in the Saratov region in the structure of alcohol-associated automobile trauma there have been positive trends, expressed in a decrease in the proportion of victims in the cabin with the presence of ethanol in the blood, among drivers, and also a decrease in alcohol intoxication among young people. Negative trends should be considered an increase in the proportion of pedestrians with the presence of alcohol in the blood with a predominance of concentration corresponding to a severe degree of ethanol intoxication, increase of the share of ethanol intoxication in older age groups.