This report reviews literature, primarily from psychiatric research, that indicates the type of emotional or psychological after-effects likely to be experienced by road crash victims which might represent losses to individuals and the community. The report indicates possible measures for mitigation of these losses, and extends the context in which cost-benefit analyses of the road transport mode are conducted. The report finds that traffic crashes may have real and significant psychological effects which are protracted, and wide ranging. These effects are revealed through a number of signs and symptoms in victims: increased mortality, increased morbidity, disrupted relationships, altered lifestyles, and numerous psychopathological syndromes. Modern psychological techniques of crisis intervention offer practical and effective means to reduce these losses. At present, little support of this kind appears available to traffic crash victims in australia. (Author/publisher)
Abstract