The assessment and reporting of motor vehicle fatal crashes by examining the age and gender of the people involved is not a thorough approach. Instead, comparing the age and gender of drivers contributing to fatal crashes(death to themselves, their passengers, or occupants of other vehicles) provides better insight into the motor vehicle safety problem. Data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) for 2001-2003 were used in this study. The analysis included passenger vehicles (automobile, utility vehicles, minivans and pickup trucks) involved either in one- or two-vehicle fatal crashes. The driver responsible in each crash was identified throughthe driver operation error variable as coded in the FARS databases. The young (ages 16-19) and elderly (70+) are more likely to be responsible. Additionally, both groups drove for a combined 9.1% of the total miles drivenin 2001 but were likely responsible for about 86% of the deaths blamed ondriver-related errors. While younger drivers’ operating errors are more likely to result in deaths of other people, the older drivers are more likely to cause their own deaths. Driver operating errors contribute to about 73% and 83% of males’ and females’ motor vehicle fatal crashes, respectively. The youngest drivers happen to be carrying the highest number of passengers when involved in fatal crashes. Failing to stay in proper lane and driving too fast for road conditions were the two most frequent driver operating errors contributing to fatal crashes for both males and females.
Abstract