Traffic accidents during work and work commuting

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze both the background of the victims and drivers involved in traffic accidents during work and during the commute to and from work by car or other means and the circumstances of these accidents. The study was based on three independent data sets, of which two were based on compensation claims to insurance companies and the third came from an interview study. Men drove three out of every 4 km driven during work, but they were involved in five out of every six traffic accidents that occurred during workhours. Married people were involved in work-related traffic accidents to a significantly lower degree than other marital status groups. The workers between 50 and 65 yr of age had the highest frequency of work-related traffic accidents. Relevance to industry Safety organizations, at least in Finland, concentrate their efforts on problems inside the gates of factories, although traffic is the most important cause of accidental deaths at work. This study showed that older male white-collar workers formed a risk group for traffic accidents during workhours and older women were at risk during commuting.