Stressful life events preceding road traffic accidents.

Road users admitted to orthopaedic wards following road traffic accidents were allocated to groups respectively at fault and not at fault according to criteria of culpability for causing the accident. Fifty-five patients were given a Life Events Inventory and the General Health Questionaire. The group at fault experienced significantly more stressful life events than the group not at fault in the year preceding the accident, particularly in the 3 months before, and also reported more symptoms of psychological disturbance. The implications are discussed.