Geographical Information System (GIS) technology has been a popular tool for visualization of accident data and analysis of hot spots in highways. Many traffic agencies have been using GIS for accident analysis. Accident analysis studies aim at the identification of high rate accident locations and safety deficient areas on the highways. (more…)
This study summarizes evidence from empirical studies on the effects of electronic stability control (ESC) on accidents in a meta-analysis. Large reductions of single vehicle accidents have been found (?49%; 95% confidence interval: [?55%; ?42%]), and smaller but still significant reductions of head-on collisions (?13%; 95% confidence interval: [?17%; ?8%]). Multi-vehicle fatal accidents are also significantly reduced (?32%; 95% confidence interval: [?43%; ?20%]). (more…)
Between 1995 and 2004, 293 passenger car occupants died in collisions with other vehicles in northern Sweden (annual incidence: 3.3 per 100,000 inhabitants, 6.9 per 100,000 cars, or 4.8 per 109 km driven); half of these deaths involved heavy vehicles. (more…)
In several countries in Europe (among others Germany and Austria) persons who have lost their drivers licence have to undergo a psychological test in order to regain their licence. The article discusses the validity of two test batteries of the Expert System Traffic using standardized driving tests [Schuhfried, G., 2005. Manual Expert System Traffic (XPSV). Schuhfried GmbH, M?dling]. (more…)
Previous research suggests that compared to mobile phone use, eating and drinking while driving is more common and is seen as lower risk by drivers. Nevertheless, snacking at the wheel can affect vehicle control to a similar extent as using a hands-free phone, and is actually a causal factor in more crashes. (more…)
IntroductionThoracic trauma secondary to motor vehicle crashes (MVC) continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Specific vehicle features may increase the risk of severe thoracic injury when striking the occupant. (more…)
ObjectivesTo assess professional status (PS) differences in the risk of road crash involvement (RCI) (irrespective of crash severity), and to examine the underlying mechanism by evaluating the role of exposure to road risk (ERR).MethodA total of 15,271 subjects selected from the French GAZEL cohort were studied. A proportional hazard model for recurrent events was used to calculate the relative risks (RR) of RCI associated with PS. (more…)
Passenger vehicles are designed to absorb crash energy in frontal crashes through deformation or crush of energy-absorbing structures forward of the occupant compartment. In collisions between cars and light trucks (i.e., pickups and SUVs), however, the capacity of energy-absorption structures may not be fully utilized because mismatches often exist between the heights of these structures in the colliding vehicles. (more…)
