Suicides

Ryan, Brendan

Abstract

This chapter focuses on suicides in railway and highway contexts. The scale of the problem in each is discussed, including explanation of the different types of incidents and the factors that influence these events. The numbers of fatalities are relatively low in both contexts when measured against all suicides, but these are very violent deaths, with far reaching consequences beyond the loss of the suicidal person. Suicides are by far the largest cause of all deaths on railways. They account for a much smaller proportion of all road related fatalities, but can result in fatalities of others in vehicle to vehicle collisions. These are difficult problems to resolve, but there are various options for prevention. Commentary is provided on progress in understanding the implementation and effectiveness of countermeasures in rail and road contexts. Suggestions are made for future directions in research, practice and policy, along with opportunities for cross-sector learning.

Citation

Ryan, B. (2021). Suicides. In International Encyclopedia of Transport. Elsevier

• Acceptance Date: May 21, 2019
• Publication Date: May 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: May 23, 2019
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Edition: 1st
• Book Title: International Encyclopedia of Transport
• Keywords: Behavior; classification of events; collaboration; consensus; evaluation; fatalities; highways; influencing factors; organizational learning; organizational processes and procedures; policy; prevention; railways; suicide
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2085424
• Publisher URL: https://www.elsevier.com/books/international-encyclopedia-of-transportation/vickerman/978-0-08-102671-7