Citation

Kuroda N, Pounder DJ. J. Traffic Med. 1994; 22(2): 67-70.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, International Association for Accident and Traffic Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

A retrospective review of all road traffic fatalities in 1989-91 inclusive for Tayside and North East Fife (Scotland) disclosed 268 deaths (72% males) for a population base of 462,000. There were four (1.5%) suicides, two pedestrians and two car drivers. Three of the four had a diagnosed psychiatric illness. The two pedestrians stepped in front of heavy vehicles, a suicide method analogous to stepping in front of a train. Suicides represent a small but important group of road traffic fatalities. Their numbers are likely underestimated because of the ease with which suicidal intent can be camouflaged and the understandable tendency of investigators to regard all road traffic deaths as accidents. The investigation of equivocal cases might be assisted by the psychological autopsy.