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Susan P. Baker, MPH; Werner U. Spitz, MD

JAMA. 1970;214(6):1079-1090.

Abstract
A total of 328 drivers who died as the result of highway crashes was investigated, using autopsy records and police reports. There was no correlation between driver responsibility for the crash and autopsy evidence of disease or physical disability. Arteriosclerotic heart disease was found with similar frequency in drivers at fault and drivers not at fault. Several findings indicated that a decreased ability to survive crashes caused older persons to be greatly overrepresented among fatally injured drivers. The proportion of drivers who were 60 years of age or older was five times as high among those killed as among drivers who survived multivehicle crashes. Delayed death was more common among older drivers and was associated with less-serious injuries than in younger drivers.

Author Affiliations
From the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Maryland, and the Maryland Medical-Legal Foundation, Baltimore.

Footnotes
The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this paper are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the National Highway Safety Bureau.

A preliminary report of this study was read before the Third International Congress on Medical and Related Aspects of Motor Vehicle Accidents, New York, May 30, 1969.

Reprint requests to 111 Penn St, Baltimore 21201 (Mrs. Baker).

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