The study investigated whether individuals who had experienced a traffic accident exhibit higher levels of psychological distress than those who had not, and whether such distress is associated with reduced driving competence. Participants were recruited through an online questionnaire that assessed general psychological burden with the Brief Symptom Checklist (BSCL) and post‑traumatic stress symptoms with the PCL‑5. Those who met inclusion criteria were contacted by a study psychologist for a telephone screening that excluded chronic medical conditions or medication use that could impair driving. Eligible participants then attended an in‑person interview and a real‑world driving observation using the Standardized Application for Fitness to Drive Evaluations (S.A.F.E.).

Statistical analyses compared accident and non‑accident groups on continuous variables with independent‑samples t‑tests (or Welch‑corrected versions when heteroscedasticity was detected) and ordinal variables with Mann‑Whitney U tests. The global severity index (BSCL GSI) and the Mini‑DIPS clinical global assessment were primary outcomes. For multiple comparisons across BSCL subscales (PTSD, specific phobia, anxiety, depression) a Bonferroni correction set the critical p‑value at .013. The frequency of psychiatric diagnoses was examined with Fisher’s exact test. Exploratory correlations between accident characteristics, perceived fear, loss of control, and responsibility with overall distress and PTSD symptoms were calculated with Pearson’s r. When sample sizes per group were below 30, the Kruskal‑Wallis test was used, followed by Mann‑Whitney U tests for pairwise comparisons, with a Bonferroni adjustment for multiple testing.

Results showed that the majority of both accident and control participants reported no clinically significant psychological burden. Accident participants, however, had on average higher scores for anxiety and post‑traumatic symptoms. No overall difference in driving competence was found between the two groups on the S.A.F.E. scale. Descriptive analyses suggested minor differences in specific driving behaviors, such as blink frequency and safety belt use, but these did not reach statistical significance after correction. Correlation analyses indicated that higher perceived fear and loss of control during the accident were associated with greater general distress (BSCL GSI) and PTSD symptom severity (PCL‑5). A subset of accident survivors reported elevated anxiety, driving‑related fears, or full PTSD up to 2½ years after the incident, highlighting a need for targeted psychological support.

The study’s quasi‑experimental design and self‑selection of participants limit causal interpretations. Nonetheless, the findings suggest that most accident survivors remain psychologically resilient and that psychological distress does not necessarily translate into measurable deficits in driving competence. The authors recommend that accident survivors be informed about potential psychological sequelae and offered timely professional assistance, particularly for those exhibiting clinically relevant anxiety or PTSD symptoms.

The project was carried out by a multidisciplinary team comprising psychologists from the Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften (HSA) and driving‑competence experts. The collaboration combined expertise in clinical assessment, psychometric evaluation, and real‑world driving observation. The research was conducted over a period that began with a 20‑minute online survey, followed by telephone screening, and concluded with in‑person interviews and driving tests. Funding was provided through a German federal research grant, supporting the study’s design, data collection, and analysis.