International journal of circumpolar health
-
Int J Circumpolar Health · Jun 2009
Driver suicides in Finland--are they different in northern and southern Finland?
This study focused on driver suicides in Finland. The first aim was to find out what the prevalence of these suicides was during the years 1974-2006. The second aim was to find out whether there were differences between northern and southern Finland in regards to the number of cases and the backgrounds of the drivers who committed suicide this way. Study design. All case reports of fatal motor vehicle accidents from the years 2005-2006 were investigated (n=528). Results were compared to the years previously investigated: 1974-1975, 1984-1985, 1987-1988, 1991-1992, 1993-1994 and 1997-1998 (n=3482). ⋯ Driver suicides represent a small proportion (2%) of all suicides committed in Finland every year. However, the proportion of driver suicides of all fatal motor vehicle accidents is greater, around 8%-9%. As a majority of driver suicides are collisions, they affect an even larger group of people. Possible preventive measures are discussed.