SUICIDE AND NATURAL DEATHS IN ROAD TRAFFIC: REVIEW

Abstract

Aim: To determine current knowledge concerning incidence and prevention, data collection practices and any associated inadequacies, relating to suicide and natural deaths in road traffic. Method: The research involved (1) a review of literature from refereed journals, electronic resources and appropriate agency reports, (2) a search of international road safety and vital statistics data available from the internet, published reports and other sources to determine the extent to which suicide and natural death crashes are included and (3), emailing questionnaires to vital statistics and road traffic organisations to collect information on current practices in the treatment of suicide and natural deaths in national data systems. Results: Relative to other methods of suicide and injury, literature on suicide and natural deaths in road traffic was scarce, particularly for pedestrian suicides. Available data and literature suggested that driver suicides and natural driver deaths are relatively minor components of road traffic fatalities but may be underestimated. Driver suicides are mostly male and aged 25-34 years. Risk factors are previous suicide attempts, a history of mental illness and the presence of alcohol. Most natural driver deaths are male, aged 50 to 70 years, caused by cardio-vascular disease and involve little or no property damage. Data on driver but not pedestrian suicide or natural deaths was located on some electronic national vital statistics sites. The data located on national and international road safety electronic sites appeared to be unintentional and no