Premium
Vehicular Suicides*
Author(s) -
Pokorny Alex D.,
Smith James P.,
Finch John R.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
suicide and life‐threatening behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.544
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1943-278X
pISSN - 0363-0234
DOI - 10.1111/j.1943-278x.1972.tb00603.x
Subject(s) - crash , depression (economics) , personality , poison control , psychology , injury prevention , suicide prevention , medical emergency , forensic engineering , medicine , psychiatry , engineering , social psychology , computer science , economics , macroeconomics , programming language
Twenty‐eight consecutive auto crash fatalities were investigated intensively, including studies of personality, social factors, evidence concerning emotional state just prior to the crash, autopsy findings, complete body X‐rays, engineering and automotive inspections, and reviews by traffic specialists. It was determined that 4 of these 28 fatalities were suicides. In these cases, investigations revealed a pattern of alcoholism, depression, impulsiveness, and acute emotional upheavals in the drivers. It is concluded that suicide constitutes a discernible portion of fatal automobile accidents.