Suicide by Motor Vehicle

Abstract

Five suicides by motor vehicle drivers are reported. Possible frequency of such incidents and methods for their investigation, as well as patterns and characteristics of suicidal behavior, are discussed. Published reports of suicide by motor vehicle are scarce. Proven cases should be reported by medical examiners and coroners to help establish the patterns of such deaths.

Road traffic suicides

“…It has been recognised for many years that there are some suicides resulting from road traffic collisions, 9,10 with particular suspicion falling upon those cases involving single occupant singlecar road deaths. [11][12][13][14] The circumstances surrounding the 17 suicides in this study are mostly in keeping with previous reports, with the one unusual mechanism being the vehicle-assisted drowning.…”

Planned and Unplanned Complex Suicides: A 5‐year Retrospective Study

“…This is in keeping with our 2.1% incidence. To compare our case series with the other cases in the literature, we have compiled all reported cases of complex suicides in the English literature (Table 4) (1–5,7,12–21).…”

Completed suicide and criminality: lack of a direct relationship

“…Case reports demonstrate that some car accidents are, in fact, suicidal gestures (Ford & Moseley, 1963;Sjovall, 1966): at least 1-3% (Handel, 1982;Imajo, 1983) of car crash fatalities are deemed to be suicides. There are similarities between automobile fatalities and suicides, such as a tendency to abuse alcohol or to impulsivity (Tabachnik et al 1966).…”

“…Suicidal individuals experience significantly more road accidents and injuries (Selzer & Payne, 1962;Whitlock & Broadhurst, 1969;Crancer & Quiring, 1968) and break the traffic laws more frequently (Crancer & Quiring, 1968) than controls, even though the former finding has not subsequently been confirmed (Kennedy et al 1971). Case reports demonstrate that some car accidents are, in fact, suicidal gestures (Ford & Moseley, 1963;Sjovall, 1966): at least 1-3% (Handel, 1982;Imajo, 1983) of car crash fatalities are deemed to be suicides. There are similarities between automobile fatalities and suicides, such as a tendency to abuse alcohol or to impulsivity (Tabachnik et al 1966).…”