Suicide by crashing into a heavy vehicle: Focus on professional drivers using in-depth crash data

Abstract

Objective: Road traffic suicides typically involve a passenger car driver crashing their vehicle into a heavy vehicle, as 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 the in-depth road crash investigation data from the Finnish Crash Data Institute. Results: The results showed that all but two 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 9000€ on average. Material damage to heavy vehicles was significant, with average insurance compensation paid being 70 500€. Three out of four 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.

Suicide by crashing into a heavy vehicle: a focus group study of professional drivers

“…It has long been known that some crashes with heavy vehicles are in fact deliberate, caused by selfdestructive motor vehicle drivers and pedestrians. As we previously noted 1) , much research on this topic has been devoted to investigating "the scope of the problem and how to adequately distinguish suicides from 'normal' crashes," and identifying risk factors and groups but leaving professional heavy vehicle drivers out of the research focus. For example, two literature reviews on the topic of road suicides have not given any special attention to heavy vehicle drivers involved as the opposite party in suicide collisions 2,3) .…”

“…In the first study, we analyzed road suicides (N=138) using in-depth crash data with a focus on professional drivers 1) . In the second, we surveyed on two occasions (about one month and one year after the event) heavy-vehicle drivers (N=15) involved in a suicide crash 4) .…”

“…In short, although heavy vehicle drivers in almost all cases survive such deliberate crashes 1,2) , the event can have a long-lasting negative effect on some of them 1,4) . It can lead to physical injuries, sick leave, posttraumatic stress symptoms, or even compel a career change 1,4) .…”

“…In short, although heavy vehicle drivers in almost all cases survive such deliberate crashes 1,2) , the event can have a long-lasting negative effect on some of them 1,4) . It can lead to physical injuries, sick leave, posttraumatic stress symptoms, or even compel a career change 1,4) . Furthermore, heavy vehicle drivers find it difficult, often almost impossible, to avoid a collision if the other party deliberately steers his or her vehicle into their own vehicle 1,4,5) .…”

“…It can lead to physical injuries, sick leave, posttraumatic stress symptoms, or even compel a career change 1,4) . Furthermore, heavy vehicle drivers find it difficult, often almost impossible, to avoid a collision if the other party deliberately steers his or her vehicle into their own vehicle 1,4,5) . Finally, professional heavy drivers in general perceive road suicides to be an occupational risk 5) .…”