Background Worldwide, the number of people killed in road traffic accidents (RTA) each year is estimated at over 1.2 million, while the number of injuries reaches as high as 50 million. Low- and middle-income countries account for 91 percent of the total RTA fatalities. In Mongolia the number of road accidents, crimes and road safety violations is on the increase and it is forecasted that this trend will continue in the future.

Methods To identify the risk factors of road accidents and the characteristics of victims involved in road traffic accident and crimes (RTA&Cs), 25 percent (4000) of the investigation forms collected by the Police Department on RTA&C were randomly selected and analysed using descriptive and advanced statistics methods.

Results The victims classified as passengers were more likely to be in urban areas and the rate of road crashes caused by alcohol is significantly different in rural and urban areas. In rural accidents, drunk driving was twice as common and seat belts were 50 percent less likely to be worn. Over 50 percent of deaths and injuries from accidents are among young adults in the age range of 19–39 years.The gender ratio of victims is 6:4, with males in higher numbers. Males in rural areas have higher percentages of moderate and serious injuries occurring than in urban.

The logistic regression analysis showed that the statistically significant risk factors of injuries were alcohol consumption and failure to stop the vehicle. The main causes of death were alcohol consumption, excess speed, vehicle defects, driver’s negligence, failure to keep distance and excess loading.

Conclusions The age, sex, drunk driving, seatbelt use and type of participation in traffic were significantly different among victims by location. The statistically significant risk factors of injuries in RTA&Cs were; the fault of pedestrians, alcohol consumption and failure to stop the vehicle and risk factors associated with death were; alcohol consumption, excess speed, vehicle defects, driver’s negligence, failure to keep distance and excess loading.