Road traffic accident fatalities in Port Moresby: a ten-year survey.

A retrospective analysis for a 10-year period (1976-1985) of Road Traffic Accident (RTA) fatalities was carried out in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. The majority of the victims were males and under the age of 45. Passengers formed the largest number, followed by pedestrians and drivers. Most fatal accidents occurred during the weekend. Analysis of injuries reveal head injury to be the dominant and possible cause of death in all three categories of victims. Multiple injuries involving many organs were more common in pedestrians and passengers than drivers. Factors contributing to the high rate of RTAs are discussed and measures to minimise the rate of such accidents have been suggested.