SPECIAL ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION STUDIES: THE ROLE OF ALCOHOL/DRUG INVOLVEMENT

A TOTAL OF 50 ACCIDENTS INVOLVING A FATALITY DURING AN 8- MONTH PERIOD IN THE BOSTON ASAP AREA WERE INVESTIGATED. A HUMAN FACTORS INDEX (HFI) WAS DETERMINED VIA INTERVIEWS, RECORDS, AND QUESTIONNAIRES ON EACH DRIVER DESIGNATED TO BE "AT-FAULT" IN THE ACCIDENT. A HYPOTHETICAL "MODAL" OPERATOR IS DESCRIBED BASED UPON THE ENTIRE SAMPLE. RESULTS DISCUSSED INCLUDE: 42% OF THE FOCAL OPERATORS WERE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH; 60% OF THE FOCAL OPERATORS INDICATED CHRONIC RISK TAKING BEHAVIORS; 62% OF THE ALCOHOL INVOLVED OPERATORS WERE CONSIDERED TO BE "PROBLEM DRINKERS." IMPLICATIONS POINTED TO NEW AREAS OF POSSIBLE IDENTIFICATION CRITERIA FOR THE BOSTON ASAP. A PROPOSED TWO-YEAR CONTINUATION OF THE STUDY IS DESCRIBED. /HSRI/

  • Corporate Authors:

    Boston University

    Accident Research Team
    Boston, MA    02118

    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

    1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
    Washington, DC  United States  20590
  • Authors:
    • Sterling-Smith, R S
    • Fell, J C
  • Publication Date: 1972-10-19

Media Info

  • Features: Photos; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 21 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00224161
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Highway Safety Research Institute
  • Files: TRIS, USDOT
  • Created Date: Apr 8 1973 12:00AM