Fatal Accidents: the Role of Psychopathology, Social Stress and Acute Disturbance

Significantly more psychopathology and social stress was present in 96 drivers causing fatal accidents than in a matched control group. In the fatality group, prior accidents were significantly related to psychopathology but not to social stress. 20% of the fatality drivers had acutely disturbing experiences within 6 hours of causing a fatal accident. The authors argue that stricter controls for drivers are necessary if our highways are to be made safer.