Citation

Kastrup M, Dupont A, Bille M, Lund H. Proc. Int. Counc. Alcohol Drugs Traffic Safety Conf. 1981; 1981: 266-277.

Copyright

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

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

A nationwide study of traffic accidents in Denmark involving 2076 psychiatric patients was undertaken. Between 1970 and 1974 all of them had been admitted as psychiatric inpatients and during the period 1972-1974 all of them were involved in traffic accidents causing bodily injury. About 5.7% of the reported accidents in Denmark involve psychiatric patients. Their characteristics are compared with the rest of the accidents. Patients driving motor vehicles numbered 1022 or nearly 50%. A greater proportion of the psychiatrically ill drove stolen vehicles, without valid license and had a higher occurrence of injury. At the time of the accidents, 26% of the psychiatrically ill drivers were reported to be alcohol intoxicated as against 10% of all drivers involved in accidents. Their blood alcohol level was also higher. Of the psychiatrically ill drivers 16% were diagnosed as alcoholics or drug abusers. A comparison is made of accidents involving alcoholics, alcohol intoxicated psychiatrically ill drivers and the total group of accidents in Denmark comprising all categories. (TRRL)