This study presents the results of an analysis to estimate the effect of a one hundred (100) pound reduction in the average weight of passenger vehicles on the crash rates of driver incapacitating injury. The analysis was conducted as a part of the effort by NHTSA to study the effect of hypothetical decreases in vehicle weight on the crashes, injuries, and fatalities of passenger car and light truck occupants. Crash data from Illinois (1990-1992) and Florida (1991-1993) were used in the study. Using the KABCO injury scale, data from these states on fatal (K) plus incapacitating (A) injuries form crash involved drivers of model year 1985-1993 were analyzed. Assuming that the effect of hypothetical vehicle weight decreases on the odds of driver incapacitating injury is simular to that for all occupants, the following findings were noted: A) a hypothetical 100 pound decrease in the average weight of light trucks and vans (LTVs) with passenger cars (PCS) unchanged would result in an estimated increase of 1,795 incapacitating injuries; B) a hypothetical 100 pound decrease in the average weight of PCS with LTVs unchanged would result in an estimated increase of 8,804 incapacitating injuries; C) a hypothetical 100 pound decrease in the average weight of all PCS and LTVs would result in an estimated increase of 10,543 incapacitating injuries.
Abstract