Citation

Iancu I, Spivak B, Dannon PN, Wiener A, Weizman A. J. Traffic Med. 1996; 24(1-2): 17-21.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, International Association for Accident and Traffic Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Objective: This review was undertaken to examine the role of personality, psychopathology, suicidality and stress in traffic accident proneness. Methods: Publications on accident proneness and psychological variables that predispose to accident proneness were reviewed through a meticulous Medline search. Results: Individuals with certain psychiatric disorders, personality characteristics or stressful life conditions may be at higher risk of vehicular accidents. However, the method for determining driver fitness in individual cases remains unclear. Conclusions: We suggest that such assessment should include an overview of the psychiatric diagnosis, a personality questionnaire, a search for possible stressful events and, most important, a review of the individual's driving record. We endorse further research with more carefully planned studies and greater involvement of physicians, psychiatrists aud psychologists in this field.