TRI-LEVEL STUDY FO THE CAUSES OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS: AN OVERVIEW OF FINAL RESULTS

Final results of a Tri - Level Accident Causation Study are reported, as well as results of special analysis projects investigating the relationship of driver vision, knowledge, and psychological attributes to accident involvement. A total of 2,258 accidents investigated by technicians, and 420 accidents investigated by a multidisciplianry team are reported. Human factors were cited as probable causes in 93% of accidents, compared to 34% for environemtnal factors and 13% for vehiclular factors. Leading human factors included improper lookout, excessive speed, inattention, and improper evasive action. View obstructions and slick roads were leading environmental factors. The most frequently- involved vehicle factors were gross brake failure, in- adequate tread depth, side-to-side brake imbalance, and underinflation. Vision (especially poor dynamic visual acuity) and personality (especially poor personal and social adjustment) were related to accidents. However, knowledge of the driving task was not shown to be related. /Author/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Proceedings of 21st Conference, September 15-17, 1977.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Association for Automotive Medicine

  801 Green Bay Road
  Lake Bluff, IL  United States  60044
• Authors:
  • Treat, J R
• Conference:
  • 21st Annual Conference of the American Association for Automotive Medicine
  • Date: 1978-9-15 to 1978-9-17
• Publication Date: 1977-9

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 391-403

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Brakes; Crash causes; Crash rates; Driver performance; Drivers; Environmental impacts; Human factors; Personnel performance; Speed; Traffic crashes; Vision
• Uncontrolled Terms: Motor vehicle accidents
• Old TRIS Terms: Driver vision
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00176802
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Safety Council Safety Research Info Serv
• Contract Numbers: DOT-HS-053-3-609
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 19 1978 12:00AM