Highlights ► Social, health and safety factors, and substance use in killed drivers were studied. ► Substance abuse problems were common among drivers with alcohol and/or drug findings. ► Mental health problems were prevalent among drivers with drug findings. ► Speeding and non-use of seatbelt were more common in drivers with substance findings. ► Integration of traffic and health/social policies is vital to improve traffic safety.

    Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to examine different socio-demographic, health and safety-related factors, and psychoactive substance use among fatally injured drivers in road traffic accidents in Finland during 2006–2008. Methods An accident information register maintained by the Traffic Safety Committee of Insurance Companies (VALT) of the Finnish Motor Insurers’ Centre was used as basic data, and the basic data were complemented with further toxicological analytical information retrieved from autopsy reports from the Department of Forensic Medicine, Helsinki University. The data included all the drivers (n =556) who were driving a motor vehicle and who died in a road traffic accident in Finland during 2006–2008. Results Of all the 556 fatally injured drivers 43% (n =238) had psychoactive substance findings. 51% (n =121) of substance positive drivers had a finding for alcohol only, the rest had a finding for one or more illicit/medicinal drugs impairing driving ability, and possibly also alcohol. Fatally injured drivers with alcohol findings were significantly younger (mean age 34 years) than sober drivers (mean age 44 years) or drivers with findings for drugs (mean age 45 years). Socio-demographic background did not differ substantially among drunken/drugged and sober drivers, although drivers with alcohol findings had a slightly lower education and socioeconomic position. Previous substance abuse problems were highly prevalent among drivers with substance findings and mental or both mental and physical health problems were more common among drivers with drug findings. The non-use of safety equipment and driving at a high speed were more common among fatally injured drivers with substance findings. Conclusions Substance abuse and mental health problems, as well as reckless driving behavior were more pronounced among fatally injured drivers with substance findings when compared to sober drivers. Thus, prevention and early intervention concerning substance abuse, mental health problems and DUI are essential. Improved traffic safety cannot be achieved by means of traffic policy only, but integration with other policies, such as health and social policy should be strengthened.


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    Titel :

    Substance use and social, health and safety-related factors among fatally injured drivers


    Beteiligte:

    Erschienen in:

    Erscheinungsdatum :

    2011-09-29


    Format / Umfang :

    6 pages




    Medientyp :

    Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)


    Format :

    Elektronische Ressource


    Sprache :

    Englisch





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