Fatal Accidents: The Role of Psychopathology, Social Stress, and Acute Disturbance
MELVIN L. SELZER M.D.1,
JOSEPH E. ROGERS M.D.2, , and
SUE KERN M.S.W.3
1 Associate professor, department of psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48104, academic staff of the University of Michigan Highway Safety Research Institute
2 Instructor, department of psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48104
3 Social worker, department of psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48104
Significantly more psychopathology and social stress were present in 96 drivers causing fatal accidents than in a matched control group. In the fatality group, prior accidents were significantly related to psychopathology but not to social stress. Twenty percent of the fatality drivers had acutely disturbing experiences within six hours of causing a fatal accident. The authors argue that stricter controls for drivers are necessary if our highways are to be made safer.
