THE 1981 TRAFFIC FATALITY DECREASE: ISOLATION OF THE AFFECTED POPULATION
The number of fatalities in traffic accidents, both motorist and non-motorist, dropped unexpectedly in 1981 after years of increase. The purpose of this paper is to identify areas of the 1981 decrease. Motorists (drivers and passengers) are treated separately from non-motorists (pedestrians and bicyclists). Among key findings were the following: over 90 percent of the reduction in traffic fatalities for 1981 is associated with a reduction in accidents involving 15 to 19 year-olds which is attributed to the decrease in teenage travel; there appears to be a decrease in travel in light trucks and vans, possibly because of a switch to more economic cars; and there are indications of safer travel for young people, including an increased use of child seats by those under 5 years, a movement to the rear seats of cars by those aged 5 through 9, and an increased use of motorcycle helmets by those aged 10 through 14.
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Corporate Authors:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Authors:
- PARTYKA, S C
- Publication Date: 1982-12
Media Info
- Features: References; Tables;
- Pagination: 43 p.
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Adolescents; Chemical reduction; Child restraint systems; Cyclists; Drivers; Fatalities; Helmets; Motorcyclists; Passengers; Pedestrians; Traffic crashes; Travel
- Old TRIS Terms: Reduction
- Subject Areas: Highways; Passenger Transportation; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; I81: Accident Statistics;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00396313
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report/Paper Numbers: HS-806 673
- Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
- Created Date: Aug 31 1985 12:00AM