Suicide by crashing into a heavy vehicle: Focus on professional drivers using in-depth crash data |
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Authors: | Igor Radun Inkeri Parkkari Jenni Radun Jyrki Kaistinen Göran Kecklund Jake Olivier |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland;2. Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden;3. The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, Helsinki, Finland;4. Turku University of Applied Sciences, Turku, Finland;5. Liikenneturva–Finnish Road Safety Council, Helsinki, Finland;6. Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden;7. School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia;8. Transport and Road Safety Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Australia |
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Abstract: | Objective: Road traffic suicides typically involve a passenger car driver crashing his or her vehicle into a heavy vehicle, because death is almost certain due to the large mass difference between these vehicles. For the same reason, heavy-vehicle drivers typically suffer minor injuries, if any, and have thus received little attention in the research literature. In this study, we focused on heavy-vehicle drivers who were involved as the second party in road suicides in Finland. Methods: We analyzed 138 road suicides (2011–2016) involving a passenger car crashing into a heavy vehicle. We used in-depth road crash investigation data from the Finnish Crash Data Institute. Results: The results showed that all but 2 crashes were head-on collisions. Almost 30% of truck drivers were injured, but only a few suffered serious injuries. More than a quarter reported sick leave following their crash. Injury insurance compensation to heavy-vehicle drivers was just above €9,000 on average. Material damage to heavy vehicles was significant, with average insurance compensation paid being €70,500. Three out of 4 truck drivers reported that drivers committing suicide acted abruptly and left them little opportunity for preventive action. Conclusions: Suicides by crashing into heavy vehicles can have an impact on drivers’ well-being; however, it is difficult to see how heavy-vehicle drivers could avoid a suicide attempt involving their vehicle. |
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Keywords: | Heavy vehicle drivers motor vehicle crashes violent suicide driver suicide self-destruction |
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