Economic externalities of relative accident rates.

In 2005, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reported 2,448,017 deaths in the U.S., of these 43,510 happened in motor vehicle crashes (Fatality Analysis Reporting System, FARS). Every year, around 42,700 people are killed in motor vehicle crashes (Table 1.1), which occur in roughly 38,400 fatal crashes (Table 1.2).Several factors lead to the occurrence of fatal automobile crashes. These factors fall into three general classifications: the driver, the road, or the vehicle, and in some extreme cases, a combination of them. Mostly, the driver is the source in the form of behavior, driving error, or physical condition. Often it is assumed that driver behavior is shaped by age, sex, and marital status, among other characteristics. In recent years, there has been a broad variety of vehicle types, makes, and models to suit a diversity of needs. One prominent vehicle feature is vehicle body type, providing not only a trend in terms of sales but also some behavioral characteristics could be inferred from the buyer. In particular, one body vehicle type has emerged as highly popular among U.S. motorists, namely; the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). According with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), SUV sales have grown from only 183,000 in 1980 to 4,515,000 in 2008 (Table 1.3)This dramatic SUV ownership has raised several safety issues over the years, including: regarding the, fleet incompatibility, SUVs safety, and rollover propensity, hazards associated with interaction with smaller vehicles, offsetting driver behavior, and gasoline mileage.