Understanding the choice of road traffic as a means of suicide: insights from multidisciplinary investigations of attempted suicides

There is limited understanding of why some individuals choose to end their lives in road traffic. This study aimed to explore the underlying reasons for such decisions by analyzing information on suicide attempts collected by Finnish multidisciplinary road crash investigation teams. The sample comprised 56 incidents over a ten-year period (2013−2022), nearly all involving deliberate motor vehicle crashes. Our analysis drew on both computerized data and original investigation reports. Reasons for choosing road suicide were identified in 16 of the 56 cases (29%). The most commonly cited motivations included perceptions of the method as lethal, easy, simple, and quick, as well as associations with impulsivity. Given the inherent challenges in accurately identifying suicidal intent in traffic crashes, it appears that investigation teams may primarily focus on distinguishing suicides and suicide attempts from unintentional accidents. In our assessment, the teams generally provided sufficient evidence to support their conclusions regarding the intentional nature of the crashes. However, we argue that whenever a suicide attempt is suspected on the road network, efforts should also be made to understand the factors influencing the choice of this method. Such insights are essential from both traffic safety and suicide prevention perspectives. • There is limited understanding of why some individuals choose to end their lives in road traffic. • We analyzed 56 attempted road suicides investigated by multidisciplinary teams. • Reasons for choosing road suicide were identified in 16 of the 56 cases (29%). • The method was seen as lethal, easy, simple, and quick.