THE EFFECT OF DECREASES IN VEHICLE WEIGHT ON INJURY CRASH RATES

This Note reports on a recently completed analysis to estimate the effect of a one hundred (100) pound reduction in the average weight of passenger vehicles on the per crash rate of incapacitating injury to drivers. Crash data from Illinois (1990-1992) and Florida (1991-1993) were used in the current analysis. Using the KABCO injury scale, data from these states on fatal injuries (K) plus incapacitating injuries (A) for crash involved drivers were analyzed. Assuming that the effect of the hypothetical decreases in vehicle weight on drivers is similar to that for all occupants, results indicate the following. A hypothetical 100 pound decrease in the average weight of Light Truck Vehicles (with passenger cars unchanged) would result in an estimated increase of 1,795 incapacitating injuries. A hypothetical 100 pound decrease in the average weight of passenger cars (with light truck vehicles unchanged) would result in an estimated increase of 8,804 incapacitating injuries. A hypothetical 100 pound decrease in the average of all passenger vehicles (both passenger cars and light truck vehicles) would result in an estimated increase of 10,543 incapacitating injuries.