The University of Adelaide CENTRE FOR AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY RESEARCH

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Publication Details

TitleMental health disorders in serious injury crashes
AuthorsEdwards SA, Wundersitz LN
Year2023
TypeUnknown
AbstractMental health disorders have a serious impact on individual functioning and at times, on driving capacity and crash risk. This unique study examined the pre-existing mental health profile of 2,072 seriously injured road users who were admitted to hospital following involvement in a crash from 2014 to 2017. Medical conditions, injuries, crash characteristics, substance use and licensing history were examined by mental health status. The findings revealed that 24% of seriously injured road users had a pre-existing mental health disorder. The most commonly experienced mental health disorders were depressive disorders, substance-related and addictive disorders and anxiety disorders. Seriously injured road users with a pre-existing mental health disorder were more likely than those without to have co-occurring physical medical conditions, significant substance use and undertake risky behaviours. A number of measures concerning preventative support are suggested to enable safe travel for this vulnerable group of road users.
Conference Name2023 Australasian Road Safety Conference
Conference AbbreviationARSC23
Conference LocationCairns, Australia
Conference Date19-21 September
NotesPresented in session 8 Tuesday Sept 19th

Reference
Edwards SA, Wundersitz LN (2023). Mental health disorders in serious injury crashes. 2023 Australasian Road Safety Conference, Cairns, Australia, 19-21 September. [PRESENTED ABSTRACT]