PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS AND VEHICLE TYPE IN MARYLAND, 1995-1999

This study examined pedestrians injured in the state of Maryland from 1995 to 1999. To be included, the pedestrian had to be struck by either a conventional car (sedan, coupe, sports car, station wagon, or hatchback), sports utility vehicle, pick-up truck, or van. Vehicle type was determined using the Maryland Automated Accident Reporting system (MAARS) database (police data) that contained all police reported motor vehicle crashes in Maryland involving at least one motor vehicle and resulting in injury, fatality, or hit and run. Specific pedestrian injuries were determined using the Maryland Trauma Registry. During the study period there were an annual average of 3368 Maryland pedestrians involved in police reported traffic accidents and 107 pedestrians who died as a result of their injuries. Across this 5-year study period, there was an 8.9% decrease in the incidence rate and a 20.1% decrease in the death rate. Pedestrians hit by a conventional vehicle, SUV, PU, and van died 12.6, 24.1, 17.8, and 13.7% of the time, respectively.