Automobile Accidents, Suicide and Alcoholism

s u i c i d e o r attempted suicide is usually con­ sidered in terms of conscious and overt self-destructive action. However, data introduced in this paper suggests that many persons with self-destructive inclina­ tions may attempt to destroy or injure themselves through automobile accidents, and that these accidents are rarely perceived as suicidal attempts by either the driver or the public. Failure to reduce the large number of traffic accidents through punitive or educa­ tional measures has resulted in diverse efforts to assess the personalities of drivers who incur more accidents than their fellows. Conger et al. stressed the poor control of hostility, low tolerance for tension, dependency, egocentricity, and unreflectiveness found in their accident group.1 Tillman and Hobbs, investigating both low and high accident taxicab drivers, found that the latter could not tolerate, and were chronically in revolt against authority. This group was also character­ ized by anti-social attitudes, impulsiveness, distractibility, and marital and fiscal irresponsibility.2 The above investigators made no reference to suicide or depression as a contributory factor, but did find evidence of poor hostility control. Recently the authors initiated a research effort to determine if any correlation existed between suicidal disposition and automobile accidents. Interviews were held with 30 alcoholic and 30 non-alcoholic male in-patients who were undergoing psychiatric treatment at the Veterans’ Readjustment Centre of the University of Michigan. Data obtained included suicidal attempts, past or present persistent pre­ occupation with suicidal thoughts, and a history of all traffic accidents for which the patients were responsible. (Inasmuch as all patients were undergoing psycho­ therapy, the data relating to suicidal preoccupation could later be confirmed with the therapist. It was our impression that the psychotherapy contributed to the patient’s candour in revealing traffic trans­ gressions and suicidal preoccupation.)