BACKGROUND: A large proportion of fatal car accidents cannot be explained by traffic environment, technical defects or risk-taking behaviour. Driver impairment from disease, alcohol, drugs or suicidal impulses may be involved. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Autopsy protocols from 167 car drivers involved in traffic accidents in Southeast Norway 1994-99 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: In 89 of 135 deaths caused by trauma, there were no apparent explanations for the accident prior to autopsy. No differences were found with regard to signs of disease between drivers involved in unexplained and explained accidents. Drivers dead from trauma compared to drivers dead from natural causes had less often ischemic heart disease (p
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Comment In: Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2004 Aug 26;124(16):215515334147
Comment In: Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2004 Jul 1;124(13-14):182815229690