ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of lifetime traumatic experiences, traffic punishment information and the relationship between traumatic history and criminal information of drivers who are intoxicated with alcohol.

The study was performed with 295 participants who participated in the Bursa Health Directorate’s Driver Behavior Development Training Program from November 2015 to June 2016. A driver information form that includes demographic and traumatic life event information was used to obtain the data. Driver’s license criminal information was also requested from the police department with an official letter.

The participants were 9 females and 286 males. The mean age of the drivers was 40.47±9.48. Of them, 11.2% (n: 33) had experienced a life-threatening illness or injury, 10.8% (n: 32) had had a serious accident or been injured, and 9.5% (n:28) had been threatened with physical violence or weapons. Of them, 21.4% (n: 63) had lost a family member, lover, spouse or very close friend by accident, murder or suicide, and 6.1% (n: 18) said that they had been threatened with death or serious injury. A relationship was found between seat belt violations and those who were physically harmed by kicking, beating, slapping or in other ways (χ²(2)=7.19, p<.00).

This study of drivers with a history of driving under the influence of alcohol found a significant relationship was found between history of trauma and traffic violations.

Keywords: Forensic Sciences, Traumatic Life Events, Crime