Michigan vehicle crashes from 1997-2001 that resulted in fatalities or serious injuries (KA crashes) were analyzed for patterns and trends. Counts, rates, and distributions by time, location, age, and sex of involved drivers were obtained for all KA crashes and those in which the driver "had been drinking." Trends in levels of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of fatal-crash-involved drivers were obtained from Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data, and safety belt use of KA-crash-involved vehicle occupants was examined. The results show a decrease in counts and rates of involvement in KA crashes and "had been drinking" KA crashes. However, the proportion of "had been drinking" crashes remained at 12% of all KA crashes. Drivers under age 24 continue to have the highest rates for KA crashes, and male drivers age 18-24 have the highest rates of "had been drinking" KA crashes. Of drivers who were tested for BAC levels, 30% had positive BAC levels, 28% were at or above 0.08 g/dl, 26% were at or above 0.10 g/dl, and 19% were at or above 0.15 g/dl. Safety belt use for KA-crash-involved vehicle occupants was lowest for the 18-24 age group. Child seat and safety belt use for KA-crash-involved children under age 5 decreased slightly between 1997 and 2001. (Author/publisher)
Abstract