Statistical evaluation procedure for comparing fatality trends with special emphasis on high risk target groups : USA versus Western Europe, 1970- 1987.

In this study, eighteen consecutive years (1970- 1987) of traffic accident data were used to obtain a better perspective of the traffic safety problems of Western Europe (WE) and the USA, and to negate short- term changes in accident patterns. The study indicates that WE experienced for the most part significant as well as marginal improvements in safety for all age and road user groups for the entire time period observed. In contrast, the USA experienced deteriorations in safety for many of the investigated age and road user groups, especially during the second half of the 1970s, and mid- 1980s.