THE SEVERITY OF LARGE TRUCK ACCIDENTS

This study uses data supplied by the Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety to examine the severity of accidents between cars and articulated trucks. It is found that the accident location has a far greater effect on accident severity than does the size or weight of the truck. An accident is most likely to be severe (as measured by a fatality to a car occupant) if it occurs on a rural, 2-lane road. Rural, 4-lane roads have proportionately fewer severe accidents, and residential/business roads have porportionately fewer yet. Once accidents have been classified by location into these three categories, accident severity does not vary significantly with either the size or weight of the truck involved.

• Corporate Authors:

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Hedlund, J
• Publication Date: 1977-4

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 37 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles; Crash severity; Crashes; Fatalities; Location; Rural highways; Trucks; Two lane highways; Weight
• Uncontrolled Terms: Articulated vehicles
• Subject Areas: Highways; Motor Carriers; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00178226
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Safety Council Safety Research Info Serv
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT HS-802332
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 19 1978 12:00AM