Traffic injury prevention
-
Traffic injury prevention · Sep 2005
Sixteen-year-old drivers in fatal crashes, United States, 2003.
Key features of graduated licensing were introduced in 46 states and the District of Columbia between 1993 and 2003. State evaluations consistently have reported positive overall effects and positive effects of nighttime and passenger restrictions. Sixteen year-olds are the main target of graduated licensing, and the present study investigated changes in their fatal crash involvement and crash characteristics that have taken place nationally during 1993-2003. By looking at 16 year-olds nationally, the study does not constitute a direct test of the effect of graduated licensing laws per se. ⋯ There has been some progress nationally in reducing the crash problem for 16 year-olds, but this still is a big problem. To achieve further progress, the gaps and weaknesses in present graduated licensing laws will need to be addressed.
-
To examine the relationship between seatbelt non-use at the time of a crash, habitual non-use of seatbelts, and car crash injury; and to calculate the population attributable risk for car crash injury due to seatbelt non-use. ⋯ Non-use of seatbelts is very strongly associated with increased injury crash involvement. Even where seatbelt use rates are higher than 90%, there remains a small group of habitual non-users who are at high risk; these drivers may benefit from targeted interventions.
-
Traffic injury prevention · Dec 2004
Comparative StudyEffectiveness of mandatory license testing for older drivers in reducing crash risk among urban older Australian drivers.
Most licensing jurisdictions in Australia maintain mandatory assessment programs targeting older drivers, whereby a driver reaching a specified age is required to prove his or her fitness to drive through medical assessment and/or on-road testing. Previous studies both in Australia and elsewhere have consistently failed to demonstrate that age-based mandatory assessment results in reduced crash involvement for older drivers. However studies that have based their results upon either per-population or per-driver crash rates fail to take into account possible differences in driving activity. ⋯ A similar trend was apparent based on distance travelled but was of borderline statistical significance (RR: 1.11, 0.99-1.25, p=0.07). Collectively, it can be inferred from these findings that mandatory license re-testing schemes of the type evaluated have no demonstrable road safety benefits overall. Further research to resolve this on-going policy debate is discussed and recommended.
-
Traffic injury prevention · Dec 2004
Comparative StudyEffect of electronic stability control on automobile crash risk.
Per vehicle crash involvement rates were compared for otherwise identical vehicle models with and without electronic stability control (ESC) systems. ESC was found to affect single-vehicle crashes to a greater extent than multiple-vehicle crashes, and crashes with fatal injuries to a greater extent than less severe crashes. ⋯ Based on all fatal crashes in the United States over 3 years, ESC was found to have reduced single-vehicle fatal crash involvement risk by 56 percent (3968). This translates to an estimated 34 percent reduction in overall fatal crash involvement risk (2145).
-
This study was conducted to provide force and acceleration corridors at different velocities describing the dynamic biomechanics of the lateral region of the human head. Temporo-parietal impact tests were conducted using specimens from ten unembalmed post-mortem human subjects. The specimens were isolated at the occipital condyle level, and pre-test x-ray and computed tomography images were obtained. ⋯ Peak force, displacement, acceleration, energy, and head injury criterion variables were used to describe the dynamic biomechanics. Force and acceleration responses obtained from this experimental study along with other data will be of value in validating finite element models. The study underscored the need to enhance the sample size to derive probability-based human tolerance to side impacts.