Fourteen percent of driver fatalities associated with motor vehicle traffic crashes in the province of Ontario involve drivers between the age of 16 and 20 even though only 7% of motor vehicle drivers are in this age group. Risk factors for motor vehicle traffic crashes have been documented in previous studies, including driver characteristics and behaviors, environmental factors, crash characteristics, and type of vehicles involved. Studies have focused on young male drivers, drinking and driving, speeding, not using seat belts, and driving on weekends and at night, all of which are positively associated with increased risk of fatal injury. The role of crash type, vehicle type, and manoeuvre, however, has not been studied extensively. The effect of posted road speed limits and weather conditions on the probability of injury or mortality is controversial. Unlike previous reports, this epidemiologic study quantifies the strength of association between potential risk factors and crash severity - fatal, major, or minor - compared with minimal crash severity. It also examines how these risk factors are inter-related. Data from the Canadian Traffic Accident Information Databank (TRAID, version 3), operated and managed by Transport Canada was used in this study.
Abstract