Comparison of Rural andUrban Ambulance Crashes in Pennsylvania

Abstract

Objective. To describe andcompare the characteristics of, andassociated injuries caused by, ambulance crashes that occur in rural versus urban areas. Methods. Crash data collected by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation were obtained for ambulance crashes from 1997 to 2001. Crash demographics (e.g., location of crash, road conditions, andintersection type) andinjuries reported by police were analyzed to determine differences, if any, between crashes occurring in rural andurban areas. Results. 311 rural and1,434 urban ambulance crashes were identified. Day andtime of crash, light conditions, androad type were similar. Rural crashes were more likely to occur on snowy roads (13% vs. 5%) andat nighttime without street lighting (25% vs. 4%). Operator error was the most common cause of crashes (75% for rural; 93% for urban), whereas vehicle or environmental conditions more frequently affected rural drivers (25% vs. 7%). Urban crashes were more likely to involve angled collisions with other vehicles (54% vs. 19%), intersections (67% vs. 26%), andoccur at a stop sign or signal (53% vs, 14%). Rural crashes often involved striking a fixed object (33% vs. 7%). Urban crashes more often involved more than one vehicle (88% vs. 56%) andmore than four people total (35% vs. 23%). Pedestrian involvement was rare in both groups (< 5%). Injury severity was similar between both types of crashes, although rural crashes more frequently did not involve any injuries (33% vs. 20%). Alcohol and/or drug use by drivers was rare (< 1%). Conclusion. Rural ambulance crashes usually do not involve other vehicles andare more often due to environmental or vehicle factors. Urban ambulance crashes typically involve intersections, other vehicles, andtraffic signals. Although more people andvehicles are often involved in urban ambulance crashes, the severity of injuries sustained are similar.