title: Drivers' psychiatric disorders and fatal motor vehicle accidents in Finland.
abstract: Relatively little is known about fatal motor vehicle accidents (FMVA) involving drivers with psychiatric disorders. In this study of all drivers killed in FMVAs in Finland between 1990 and 2011, we aimed to study drivers' death rate trends in FMVAs, with special focus on drivers with a history of psychiatric disorders. Prevalence of drivers' hospital treated psychiatric disorders, and characteristics of drivers with psychiatric disorders were also studied. For the purpose of this study, three national registers were accessed. Drivers' hospital treated psychiatric disorders were screened in a five-year period prior to death. Drivers with (n = 425) and without (n = 3856) psychiatric disorders were compared, female and male drivers separately. The main outcome measure was any psychiatric disorder in drivers within the five-year timescale. Socio-demographic factors, use of intoxicants and medication at the time of death, recent adverse life events, and drivers' physical and emotional states were used as covariates in the statistical analyses. During the study period, death rates increased for females with psychiatric disorders, and decreased for females without psychiatric disorders. Death rates for males with psychiatric disorders decreased between the years 1990-2000 and 2007-2011, and increased between the years 2000-2007. Death rates decreased over the whole study period in males without psychiatric disorders. Alcohol related disorders and affective disorders were the most prevalent hospital treated psychiatric disorders among drivers involved in FMVAs. Use of medications at the time of death, and committing suicide in traffic both associated with being a driver with psychiatric disorders involved in FMVAs for both genders. As FMVAs involving drivers with psychiatric disorders have increased, a more focused and detailed evaluation of the driving performance of drivers with psychiatric disorders is recommended. These evaluations should also be extended to drivers with non-psychotic disorders.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Research Unit of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, Peltolantie 17, 90014 Oulu, Finland.
authors: Antti
authors: A
authors: Kujansuu
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Research Unit of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, Peltolantie 17, 90014 Oulu, Finland. Electronic address: simo.rautiainen@student.oulu.fi.
authors: Simo
authors: S
authors: Rautiainen
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Oulu University Hospital, P.O. Box 26, 90029 Oulu, Finland.
authors: Helinä
authors: H
authors: Hakko
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Oulu University Hospital, P.O. Box 26, 90029 Oulu, Finland.
authors: Juha
authors: J
authors: Kanamüller
authors: Finnish Motor Insurers' Centre, Bulevardi 28, 00120 Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Niina
authors: N
authors: Sihvola
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Research Unit of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, Peltolantie 17, 90014 Oulu, Finland.
authors: Pirkko
authors: P
authors: Riipinen
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality* / Q000523:psychology / Q000639:trends; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Mental disorders; Mortality; Risk factors; Traffic accidents