Traffic accidents in eastern Iran: A comparative epidemiological study before and during COVID-19

Traffic accidents are a growing concern worldwide, with Iran experiencing one of the highest mortality rates. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological patterns of traffic accidents in Torbat Heydarieh, eastern Iran, and compare accident frequencies before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, data from 8810 pre-hospital emergency calls related to traffic accidents between March 2019 and March 2022 were analyzed. Data were collected using a structured researcher-designed checklist and analyzed with SPSS version 16 using independent t -test, Chi-square, logistic regression, and Fisher's exact test. The mean age of victims was 29.74 ± 17.68 years, with a higher incidence among men. Accidents were most frequent in summer and between 16:00–20:00. Motorcyclists represented the largest group of victims. Notably, there was a 22 % reduction in total accidents during the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period. Young men, especially motorcyclists, are the most vulnerable group in traffic accidents, causing significant socio-economic impacts. Targeted interventions such as youth education and identification of high-risk locations are crucial for reducing motorcycle-related accidents.