Role of life events in accident causation.

The concept of stress as causative in human illness has been documented in studies relating significant illnesses to major life changes (i.e., marriage, parenthood, divorce, employment changes, etc.). Although some studies have related accidents to stress, the various types of stress involved were either poorly-defined or narrowly delineated by the specific interests or professional training of the investigators. Our current study represents an attempt to investigate traffic accidents as a function of multi-dimensional stresses which result from life changes experienced by the driver. In addition we have attempted to assess the subject's feelings and responses to these life changes as well as his general adjustment to the total environment. Our ultimate goal is to develop a questionnaire to identify drivers who are highly susceptible to traffic accidents. This questionnaire will be designed to be self-administered and easily scored. It is intended to provide help in traffic safety countermeasure programs that will focus on cause rather than effect. Only by developing a comprehensive stress-accident model will comprehensive and workable accident prevention programs be developed to replace the current patchwork of existing programs.