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Vehicular Problems as Accident Causes-an Overview of Available Information
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Abstract
This paper provides final results of an accident investigation project conducted by the Indiana University Institute for Research in Public Safety (IRPS), for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, emphasizing particularly the role of vehicular factors in causing accidents. In addition, these results are put in context with other recent studies which have provided information on the same topic.
Data collection for the Indiana University accident causation study was confined to Monroe County, Indiana, where between 1970 and 1975, 2,258 accidents were investigated by teams of technicians using a consistent set of procedures and terminology. Concurrently, 420 in-depth investigations were conducted by a multidisciplinary team.
Vehicular degradations, malajustments, and failures were identified as definite causes in 4.5% of these accidents by the multidisciplinary team, and in 4.1% by the technicians. Vehicular problems were considered either definite or probable causes in 12.6% of these accidents by the in-depth team, and in 9.1% by the technicians. Problems with brakes and tires predominated as vehicular causes, with gross brake system failure and inadequate tread depth being two of the leading problems identified.
The other studies referenced, while varying somewhat in the proportion of accidents in which vehicular factors were implicated, also reflect brakes and tires as predominant problem areas.
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Authors
Topic
Citation
Treat, J. and Stansifer, R., "Vehicular Problems as Accident Causes-an Overview of Available Information," SAE Technical Paper 770117, 1977, https://doi.org/10.4271/770117.Also In
References
- Indiana University Institute for Research in Public Safety “Tri-Level Study of the Causes of Traffic Accidents, Interim Report I.” 1 Causal Results II NHTSA, DOT August 1973
- Indiana University Institute for Research in Public Safety “Tri-Level Study of the Causes of Traffic Accidents, Interim Report II.” I Causal Result Tabulations and Trends II Final Report on the Potential Benefits of Radar Warning, Radar Actuated, and Anti-Lock Braking Systems in Preventing Accidents and Reducing Their Severity III Interim Report on Driver Vision and Knowledge Testing, and other Special Study Topics NHTSA, DOT December 1974
- Indiana University Institute for Research in Public Safety “Tri-Level Study of the Causes of Traffic Accidents, Final Report.” I Causal Result Tabulations and Trends II NHTSA, DOT Spring 1977
- Joscelyn K.B. Treat J.R. “Results of a Study to Determine the Relationship Between Vehicle Defects and Crashes.” I II Final Report Institute for Research in Public Safety, Indiana University NHTSA, DOT November 1972
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- Sabey Barbara “Accident Studies Related to Vehicle Safety.” Sixth International Technical Conference on Experimental Safety Vehicles Washington, D.C. 12-15 October 1976
- Sacks W.L. “Vehicular Factors in Traffic Accident Causation: An Interim Report.” Traffic Quarterly 27 January 1973 35 47
- Perchonok K. “Accident Cause Analysis.” Final Report Calspan, Inc. NHTSA, DOT July 1972
- Tharp K.J. Calderwood T.G. Downing J.J. Fell J.C. Garrett J.W. Mudrowsky E.F. “Multidisciplinary Investigations to Determine Automobile Accident Causation: Findings.” Final Report Calspan, Inc. Automobile Manufacturer's Association, Inc. March 1970
- Finch J.R. Smith J.P. “Multi-Determine the Relationship Between Vehicle Defects, Failures, and Vehicle Crashes.” Final Report Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry NHSB, DOT April 1970