@article{ref1,
title="Alcohol involvement in traffic deaths investigated by special boards of inquiry in finland",
journal="Proceedings International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety Conference",
year="1981",
author="Raekallio, J.",
volume="1981",
number="",
pages="174-179",
abstract="In most industrial countries, serious accidents in the air and at sea are investigated by a board of inquiry. Similar boards for fatal traffic accidents were also introduced in Finland in 1968. These boards consist of a M.D. (usually a forensic pathologist), an inspector of the highway patrol, a motor vehicle inspector, and a traffic safety engineer. At the scene each expert evaluates the accident using a specified form. An autopsy is performed on practically every traffic accident victim. In a meeting, with all board members present, a final report is formulated. In 1971-74 the boards investigated 1430 fatal traffic accidents. Alcohol wa involved in 25-33% of the traffic deaths in a year. According to the statements of the boards, alcohol was the decisive factor in 31.4% of the cases, an indispensable cause in 51.0%, and an additional factor in 13.7% of the investigated fatalities with alcohol involvement. In 3.9% of these cases, the low blood alcohol content (0.3-0.4 % per thousand) did not influence the course of events. In 1978, alcohol was again involved in 33% of the investigated traffic deaths. (TRRL)<p />",
language="",
issn="",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}