Citation

Raekallio J. Proc. Int. Counc. Alcohol Drugs Traffic Safety Conf. 1981; 1981: 174-179.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1981, The author(s) and the Council, Publisher International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

In most industrial countries, serious accidents in the air and at sea are investigated by a board of inquiry. Similar boards for fatal traffic accidents were also introduced in Finland in 1968. These boards consist of a M.D. (usually a forensic pathologist), an inspector of the highway patrol, a motor vehicle inspector, and a traffic safety engineer. At the scene each expert evaluates the accident using a specified form. An autopsy is performed on practically every traffic accident victim. In a meeting, with all board members present, a final report is formulated. In 1971-74 the boards investigated 1430 fatal traffic accidents. Alcohol wa involved in 25-33% of the traffic deaths in a year. According to the statements of the boards, alcohol was the decisive factor in 31.4% of the cases, an indispensable cause in 51.0%, and an additional factor in 13.7% of the investigated fatalities with alcohol involvement. In 3.9% of these cases, the low blood alcohol content (0.3-0.4 % per thousand) did not influence the course of events. In 1978, alcohol was again involved in 33% of the investigated traffic deaths. (TRRL)