TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1981//
TI  - Alcohol involvement in traffic deaths investigated by special boards of inquiry in finland
JO  - Proceedings International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety Conference
A1  - Raekallio, J.
SP  - 174
EP  - 179
VL  - 1981
IS  - 
N2  - 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 /> 
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SN  - 
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -