Crash Impact
Published: 6th January 2005
Every 2 minutes someone in the UK is injured in a road crash
Fortunately, most crashes are not fatal but are minor shunts causing minimal injuries. Even if they do not involve personal physical injury, however, the psychological effects of being involved in a collision can have long term ramifications.
The RAC Foundation is warning road users that over the Christmas and New Year holidays they may face a combination of factors which can make involvement in a collision more likely:
- Bad weather. Ice, snow, rain and wind all bring extra difficulties to driving while low winter sun can also be hazardous.
- Darker nights and mornings. Collisions and accidents peak during the dark winter months when the hours of gloom are longer.
- Stress and fatigue. Drivers are often exhausted by the planning and preparation they have put into organising the Festive celebrations or distracted by the tasks they have to undertake.
- Drink drivers. Even if they have wisely abstained from alcohol there may be other drivers on the road who haven’t.
- Tension. Christmas is widely recognised by psychologists as being the most stressful time of the year. Family or work friction can lead drivers to make basic errors, take chances, miss hazards or speed.
Studies have shown that the aftermath of even a slight accident can cause anxiety for lengthy periods following the crash as well as fears and phobias about driving or being a passenger in a car – with children being particularly susceptible to the problem.
A research project* suggested that at least one-third of all people involved in nonfatal accidents have post traumatic stress disorder, persistent anxiety, depression, and phobias one year after the incident.
Another study** suggested there may be psychological complications even when the accident may not have been medically in the least serious. Most of the 1,000 men and women in the study who had been taken to a hospital after an accident recovered from the psychological impact within three to 12 months. Others had persistent problems or suddenly developed anxiety and other symptoms months after the accident. Interestingly, most people with persistent anxiety were passengers in the accident rather than drivers.
This may mean feeling anxious when driving or travelling in cars or avoiding them altogether. People may feel nervous or anxious when passing the site of the accident, seeing similar road conditions or travelling in the vehicle involved in the accident or a similar type or colour of car.
"The most important factor in recovering from the trauma of the accident is recognising that you are having a problem and getting help" said Edmund King, executive director of the RAC Foundation, "But, of course, prevention is better than cure.
"Like other types of trauma, car accidents can cause long-term stress that affects work and relationships and can eventually lead to depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. Studies show people can have increases in their levels of stress hormones for months after even minor traumatic events.
"If two or three months have passed since an accident and you still feel anxious, avoid certain driving situations, or have persistent thoughts or dreams about the accident, you should seek help from someone qualified in treating posttraumatic stress disorder.
"These kinds of reactions are normal and to be expected in the aftermath of whatever has happened but if they persist that’s the time to get help as the problems can become very debilitating."
Treatment may include anxiety management, breathing and relaxation exercises, or medications to relieve tension and help aid sleep.
Young children often suffer anxiety and phobias after an accident. For some children the situation may be made worse by having no control over when and where they're travelling. Parents may also voice their own fears and phobias about the accident to the child.
Cases of family dogs involved in serious accidents that became afraid of travelling in cars have also been documented.
"Christmas holidays should be a time for joy and celebration, not the start of a nightmare. Drivers should be particularly vigilant about their driving style and remember that even if they themselves are good, focused drivers other road users may not be."
