Incidence Of Motor Vehicle Crashes Research Articles

Increased motor vehicle crashes following induced earthquakes in Oklahoma, USA

Anxiety-inducing life events increase the risk of motor vehicle crashes. We test the hypothesis that earthquakes, known to increase anxiety in the population, also increase the incidence of motor vehicle crashes. Our study took place in Oklahoma, USA where wastewater injection resulted in increased induced seismicity between 2010 and 2016. We identified dates of earthquakes ≥ magnitude 4 (a level felt by most people) with data from the U.S. Geologic Survey. The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office provided county-level monthly vehicle crash counts. We defined high, medium, and low earthquake exposure counties based on the location of earthquake epicenters. Using time-series analyses, we evaluated the association between monthly counts of ≥magnitude 4 earthquakes and motor vehicle crashes by exposure group. Earthquakes ≥ magnitude 4 took place in 38 of 84 study months, and a monthly average of 5813 (SD = 384) crashes occurred between 2010 and 2016. In high-exposure counties, we observed an additional 39.2 motor vehicle crashes per each additional ≥ magnitude 4 earthquake in the prior month (SE = 11.5). We found no association between the timing of ≥magnitude 4 earthquakes and motor vehicle crashes in the medium or low exposure counties. With a binary earthquake exposure variable, we found a 4.6% (SE = 1.4%) increase in motor vehicle crashes in the high exposure counties in the month following 1 or more ≥magnitude 4 earthquakes. Consistent with our hypothesis, there was no association between earthquakes of magnitude ≤ 2.5 and motor vehicle crashes in the high-exposure counties. This novel evidence of an association between induced earthquakes in Oklahoma and motor vehicle crashes warrants future research given the high economic and social costs of such vehicle crashes.

Statewide policies for safer teen driving

Graduated driver licensing (GDL) requirements aim to reduce the incidence of motor vehicle crashes and crash-related fatalities for novice drivers by limiting their exposure to the most risky driving situations. These programs vary across states in their scope, intensity, and impact. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term impact of the 2009 Arkansas GDL on reducing teen crashes and fatal crashes. Arkansas motor vehicle crash data for 2008 and 2010 were compared. Changes in rates per 10,000 licensed drivers were calculated by age, during the night restriction, and for drivers with passengers. χ2 analyses were used to test significant differences in rates between pre- and post-GDL years for each age group. Significant decreases in crash rates were found for each age group younger than 19 years, with the largest change evident for 16-year-olds (reduction of 22%). Similar decreases were not found for adults 19 years and older. Rates of fatal crashes for 14- to 18-year-olds were reduced 59%. Nighttime crashes and crashes in vehicles driven by teens with more than one unrelated passenger also demonstrated reductions. This study provides evidence of a short-term impact of GDL restrictions on reducing teen driver crashes and fatal crashes in Arkansas. Findings for teen drivers were significantly different from those of adult drivers during the same time frame, further strengthening the results as a function of GDL restrictions as compared with alternative explanations.

Age and gender differences in risk-taking behaviour as an explanation for high incidence of motor vehicle crashes as a driver in young males

Risk-taking behaviour has been identified as a possible explanation for the high incidence of motor vehicle crashes involving young male drivers. This study examines the extent to which differences in risk-taking behaviour explain the differential crash rates by age and gender. A random sample of 689 adults aged 17-88 were selected from motor vehicle license holders within randomly selected geographical areas across Queensland. Participants completed a questionnaire covering their attitudes towards driving behaviour and general risk-taking behaviour, selected demographic characteristics and self-reported history of road crashes as a driver. Univariate analysis showed that males scored higher means than females in driver aggression and thrill seeking and in their general risk acceptance. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that males were twice as likely (OR 2.46, CI 1.59-3.83) to have reported at least one crash as a driver compared to females and nearly three times as likely (OR 2.88, CI 1.84-4.49) to have reported two or more crashes. Drivers aged 17-29 were also twice as likely (OR 2.31, CI 1.10-4.19) to have reported at least one crash when compared to those aged over 50 years. When risk-taking behaviours were introduced into the logistic model the odds of males (OR 1.70, CI 1.29-3.30) or 17-29 year olds (OR 1.30, CI 0.93-3.91) being involved in at least one crash substantially reduced. An increased risk of a crash as a driver can, in part, be explained by the age and gender differential in risk-taking behaviour. The challenge for public health professionals is to determine suitable strategies to modify risk-taking behaviour in young or male drivers.

Motor vehicle crashes and violations among drivers with multiple sclerosis

Schultheis MT, Garay E, Millis SR, DeLuca J. Motor vehicle crashes and violations among drivers with multiple sclerosis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2002;83:1175-8. Objective: To investigate differences in the incidence of motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) and violations among drivers with multiple sclerosis (MS) when cognitive impairment is present. Design: Archival evaluation of Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) records. Setting: Medical rehabilitation research organization. Participants: Community-dwelling drivers, 27 subjects with documented MS (14 MS without cognitive impairment [MS−], 13 MS with cognitive impairment [MS+]) and 17 healthy control subjects, matched on age, sex, and driving experience. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Incidence of MVCs and motor vehicle violations as documented by DMV reports for the past 5 years. Results: MS+ subjects showed a higher incidence of MVCs when compared with control and MS− subjects. No significant difference in the incidence of motor vehicle violations was observed between groups. Conclusions: The presence of cognitive impairment in drivers with MS can result in an increased risk of MVC involvement. © 2002 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

New order of things: An international overview of air medical transport

To give an impression of where the development of helicopter EMS (HEMS) may lead in the future, we first need to look back at where we came from. With the use of fixed-wing aircraft in World War II, the first ideas about how to evacuate victims from the battlegrounds were tested. But the technical limitations of the systems prohibited large-scale use at that time. In the Korean War, an estimated 100,000 casualties were airlifted by helicopter; in Vietnam, only 10 years later, the Bell Huey made approximately 1 million transports and became a crucial instrument for transport and helicopter rescue. Admittedly, only the military had access to this form of trauma care, which was merely a form of fast transport from remote areas. On-scene medical treatment was-and had to be-confined to a minimum. Inspired by these wartime experiences and considered in the context of an increasing incidence of motor vehicle crashes, the need for civilian prehospital care was addressed on an international scale with ground-based rescue. Although the “emergency doctor service” worked quite well in major cities, accidents in suburban and rural areas still presented problems because of large service areas and long response intervals in heavy traffic during rush hours and holiday seasons. The countryside continued to be a virtual ground EMS wasteland-response times of 30, 40, or more minutes were normal. In rural and remote, mountainous, or coastal areas, the helicopter therefore became and continues to be the transport system of choice. In these regions, the HEMS system offers a faster means of medical assistance with a significantly larger action range, coupled with the ability to transport the patient directly to the appropriate specialized medical center.

An evaluation of the New Zealand Graduated Driver Licensing System

Young drivers have a disproportionately high risk of experiencing a road traffic crash. On 1 August 1987 a Graduated Driver's Licensing System (GDLS) was introduced in New Zealand. This system was designed to give young drivers (i.e. 15–24 years inclusive) experience in driving while being excluded from high risk driving situations. We sought to determine the impact of the GDLS on serious injury crashes. The source of the injury crash data was New Zealand's Health Information Services' national public hospital inpatient morbidity data files for the years 1979–1992 inclusive. We disaggregated the occupant data into three age groups 15–19 years, 20–24 years, and persons 25 years of age or older and compared their trends in injury. In order to determine whether the incidence of motor vehicle crashes was simply following trends in other injury events we also included two 15–19 year old non-traffic injury comparison groups. Using time series analyses we showed that the introduction of the GDLS was closely followed by substantial reductions in car crash injuries for all age groups, especially 15–19 year olds (23% reduction). After considering effects for older occupants we speculate that the effect is likely to be substantially less than 23%. An analysis of licensure data suggests that the reduction in crashes may, in large part, be attributable to an overall reduction in exposure.

Performance components predictive of errors resulting in motor vehicle crashes in older drivers

Numerous skills and abilities are necessary in the operation of an automobile. Many of these skills and abilities deteriorate with age. These deteriorations, coupled with the increased incidence of motor vehicle crashes in terms of number of miles driven for older drivers, makes it imperative to explore the relationship between these factors. A review of the literature was utilized to present the performance components of older drivers that may contribute to motor vehicle crashes. Vision and attention appear to play a major role, particularly in the types of accidents that occur most frequently to this population - intersection accidents. This article consolidates the existing literature from several disciplines. This is especially needed for occupational therapy practitioners, with their growing involvement in the assessment and rehabilitation of driving skills.