Preventing suicide by jumping: the effect of a bridge safety fence.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of a bridge safety fence in preventing suicide.

METHODS

We examined suicides from jumping off the Memorial Bridge in Augusta, Maine, from 1 April 1960 to 31 July 2005. The safety fence was installed during 1983, the mid-point of the study period.

RESULTS

14 suicides from the bridge were identified; all occurred before installation of the safety fence. The number of suicides by jumping from other structures remained unchanged after installation of the fence.

CONCLUSION

The safety fence was effective in preventing suicides from the bridge. There was no evidence that suicidal individuals sought alternative sites for jumping.