Accident and Near Accident Causation: The Contribution of Automobile Design Characteristics

Details

• Creators:
  Burger, William J. ; Smith, Russell L. ; Queen, John E. ; Slack, Graham B.
• Corporate Creators:
  Dunlap and Associates, Inc.
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Countermeasures Crash Causes Crashes Critical Incidents Drivers Human Factors In Crashes Literature Reviews Near Accidents Near Crashes Surveys Vehicle Design

  More +
• Publication/ Report Number:
  DOT HS-802 714 ; DOT-HS-5-01216
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States ; California ; New Hampshire
• Edition:
  Final Report: 19 June 1976-28 February 1977
• Corporate Publisher:
  United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Abstract:
  A study was conducted to (1) determine the frequency and severity of driver/vehicle design mismatch problem contribution to accidents and near accidents, (2) relate driver and vehicle characteristics to severity and frequency of problems experienced by drivers, (3) develop and validate the method used to measure mismatch problems, and (4) identify vehicle design countermeasures which would reduce problem frequency or severity. Based upon recommendations by experts, literature reviews, focus panels and preliminary question testing, five direct mail questionnaires were developed and pilot tested on a sample of 800 U.S. Government employees. Results were analyzed and a modified questionnaire recommended for a large scale survey of drivers. The questionnaire contained questions on vision, controls, steering, braking shifting, and seating. Subsequently, a direct mail survey was conducted by three private institutions which surveyed 10,000 drivers from California and New Hampshire. The 3500 returns citing 1691 near accidents or accidents for various mismatch questions were analyzed by driver and vehicle demographic variables. Results strongly indicate that the survey approach is valid and that driver/vehicle design mismatch problems are not trivial as contributors or causes of accidents. Most frequent and severe problems experienced are vision related, e.g., oncoming headlight glare, window obscuration due to weather, and mirror information and glare. Steering and braking problems were also significant. Driver height, age, weight, sex, experience and exposure, and vehicle age, size (type), and model are uniquely related to specific mismatch problems experienced.
• Format:
  PDF
• Collection(s):
  University Transportation Centers US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:0227b38b27a69005ac35e250ebb6e153c3d49b9a61ea6fe7ea48b6327c6654722f2384922a4c4dc9a9a18f065c4a560410ee84cc2aadb1863065d89d28f9eb05
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/92487/dot_92487_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 44.68 MB ]