A TELEPHONE SURVEY TO DETERMINE THE EFFECTS OF NAVIGATION LIGHTS ON NIGHTTIME COLLISIONS

A telephone survey was made of victims of nighttime collisions. The major thrust of the survey concerned the navigation lights on the boats involved and the role the lights might have played in the collision. Most boaters that were interviewed felt that the lights were adequate, but certainly could be improved. The glare produced by a 360 degree stern light was identified as a common problem. There appear to be many boaters out without lights in the evening. The subjects' knowledge of the lighting system was limited. Less than 50 percent of them could correctly identify which side of their boat their red light was on. Alcohol, carelessness, and excessive speed were identified as frequent causes of nighttime collisions. Many of these problems could be handled through educational programs, although some modifications to the navigation lighting system are suggested.

• Corporate Authors:

  Wyle Laboratories

  7800 Governors Drive West
  Huntsville, AL  United States  35805

  United States Coast Guard

  2100 Second Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20593
• Authors:
  • Stiehl, C C
• Publication Date: 1975-4

Media Info

• Pagination: 44 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Boats; Crashes; Navigation lights; Night; Safety
• Old TRIS Terms: Navigational lights
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00092253
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: MSR-75-22 Final Rpt., USCG-D-98-75
• Contract Numbers: DOT-CG-40672-A
• Files: NTIS
• Created Date: Nov 5 1976 12:00AM