7 MAJOR CAUSES OF HIGHWAY ACCIDENTS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

Statistics on 1979 motor vehicle accidents and accident frequency variables are reviewed. With fewer motorists on the road (due to the energy crisis) and fewer accidents in 1979, fatalities increased by 400 over 1978. This increase is attributed to the growing population of small cars; a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study found an 8:1 ratio for small car-to-large car fatalities. The most dangerous hours for motorists are between 10:00 PM and 2:00 AM; the safest, between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Saturday is the most dangerous day; the safest are Monday through Thursday. A two-lane road is the most dangerous type, followed closely by city streets; the safest roads are three-lane (each direction) toll roads and unpaved trails. Seven categories of accidents are discussed which accounted for by far the most traffic crashes and fatalities in 1979: speeding (the largest single cause), failure to yield, disregarding traffic signals, driving on the wrong side, improper overtaking, improper turns, and tailgating. Tips are given for avoiding these accident types. Drinking is cited as a major factor in over half of all traffic accidents, and defensive driving tactics are outlined for avoiding the drunk or reckless driver. The need to use seat belts at all times is emphasized. Recommendations from various safety agencies are listed: stay alert, turn down the radio, be careful of drugs, and always use signals.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00324558
• Corporate Authors:

  Hearst Magazines

  224 West 57th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10019
• Authors:
  • Miller, M
• Publication Date: 1980-11

Media Info

• Pagination: 6 p.
• Serial:
  • Popular Mechanics
  • Volume: 154
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: Hearst Magazines
  • ISSN: 0032-4558

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Compact automobiles; Crash causes; Crash types; Days; Defensive drivers; Drunk drivers; Drunk driving; Fatalities; Manual safety belts; Passing; Speeding; Time; Traffic crashes; Two lane highways; Wrong way driving
• Old TRIS Terms: Small car; Time factor; Yield
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00382075
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-030 484
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Mar 30 1984 12:00AM