MEDICAL STUDY OF FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY, EUROPE.
Abstract
Drivers involved in 540 fatal motor vehicle accidents occurring during a two-year period were compared to matched control subjects; the characteristics of the accidents were studied; and blood specimens from 90 deceased drivers were obtained at autopsy and chemically analyzed. Subject drivers were found to have uncorrected defective vision and histories suggestive to behavior or personality disorder, in significantly greater numbers than did the controls. Two-thirds of the blood specimens contained ethyl alcohol, and in one-third the concentration was 150 mg% or greater. Carbon monoxide was present in one-third of the specimens. The majority of fatal accidents occurred on two-lane, undivided highways, under good climatic and road surface conditions, and without utilization of seat belts. It is suggested that human factors play a major role in fatal motor vehicle accidents. Drivers with uncorrected poor vision, those who drink alcoholic beverages before driving, and those who have a history of undesirable conduct, contribute disproportionately to the high vehicle fatality rates among personnel of the United States Army, Europe. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 30, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0691358