Objectives A cross-section study design aimed to explain the characteristics of traffic accident cases in northern of Thailand.

Method A cross-section study design aimed to explain the characteristics of traffic accident cases in northern of Thailand. The subjects were recruited from 8 hospitals and 7 police stations in the highest case accident areas from hospitals and police stations during 2009- 2012. All medical records and police statements were used as the sources of data collection. All research procedures were approved by the committee for the protection of human subjects of Mae Fah Luang University.

Results Totally 35 925 cases had been recruited into the study from 8 hospitals during 2009–2011. 66.58% were female, 28.01% aged 16–25 years old, and main vehicle was motorcycle (78.85%). 29.31% of subjects had been admitted at the hospital, 77.06% had a length of admission ≤31 days, 2.39% diability found, 84.81% had medical cost ≥5000 baht. Univariate analysis found alcohol used, types of vehicle, medical cost, and medical surgery were statistical different between sex.

In 7 police stationts, 2339 cases had been recruited into the analysis. 71.43% were females, 27.61% were aged 16–25 years old, 60.96% were married, 92.02% were Buddhism. The main type of vehicle was the cars (56.60%), 67.29% had their accident on the highways, and 60.66% had accidents on the day time (06.00 am.–06.00pm.), and those 13.12% drank alcohol.

Conclusions Thailand needs the specific study for improving driving safety behaviours and also an effective regulation to control for traffic accident.