Abstract
Attention is given to the psychological factors of accident risks on the road. The hidden (self-) destructive forces by which humans can be led in traffic and the hidden emotional causes of accidents are presented. The use of alcohol and drugs and the effect of these on driving behaviour are mentioned. It is shown that we can speak of an epidemiology of traffic accidents, from which we think it is the normal price we have to pay for technical progress, instead of fighting against this situation.