Evaluation of Traffic Crash Fatality Causes and Effects: A Study of Fatal Traffic Crashes in Florida from 1998-2000 Focusing on Heavy Truck Crashes

The number of highway fatalities and heavy truck crashes in the state of Florida remains unacceptably high. The principal objective of the proposed research was to provide an in-depth analysis of the causes of fatal traffic crashes and traffic fatalities so that appropriate actions can be initiated to improve safety on Florida's highways. To determine the actual causes of the crash, it was necessary to obtain more detailed data, including data from Traffic Homicide Investigation (THI) reports, video log and crash scenes photographs, and site visits where necessary. All fatal crashes on state roads in 2000 were investigated, along with those involving heavy trucks in 1999 and 1998. Crash data, investigating both behavioral and roadway-related causes of fatal traffic crashes were collected in an Oracle database and studied through case study analysis, dynamic behavior analysis, and statistical analysis. Various countermeasures, both behavioral and roadway-related, were recommended. The results of this research can be used to develop countermeasures to address the crash types and contributing factors occurring frequently on state roads in Florida, and to direct additional research projects into specific areas of need identified by this research. A total of 2,080 cases were reviewed as part of this project. Run off the road (32%) and intersection crashes (28%) were the common crash types, followed by pedestrian (16%) and rear-end/sideswipe (14%) crashes. Human factors were the primary causative factor in 94% of the fatal crashes; the most common human factors were alcohol and/or drug use and driver errors, including inattention and decision errors. Around 30% of the crash contributing factors (including secondary and tertiary factors) were roadway, environmental, and vehicle factors. Not wearing a seat belt is the most common cause of fatality found in this study. Among drivers wearing seat belts, the most common contributing factors to the fatality were age and nearside impacts. In heavy trucks, 50% of fatalities occurred in vehicles that rolled over, and 26% occurred in vehicles that caught fire. Trailer rear and side underrides accounted for almost 28% of the fatal impacts among occupants in vehicles impacting trucks.