The association between passenger-vehicle front-end profiles and pedestrian injury severity in motor vehicle crashes.

Introduction: Vehicles play an important role in pedestrian injury risk in crashes. This study examined the association between vehicle front-end geometry and the risk of fatal pedestrian injuries in motor vehicle crashes.

Method: A total of 17,897 police-reported crashes involving a single passenger vehicle and a single pedestrian in seven states were used in the analysis.

The utility of telematics data for estimating the prevalence of driver handheld cellphone use, 2019-2022.

Introduction: Driver distraction from handheld cellphone use contributes to fatal crashes every year but is underreported in terms of the proportion of crashes attributed to any distraction or cellphone use specifically. Existing methods to estimate the prevalence of cellphone distractions are also limited (e.g.

Consumer experiences with crash avoidance feature repairs.

Introduction: Popularity of crash avoidance features is growing, but so too is confusion around how to repair them, how much repairs should cost, and who should pay for those repairs. This study's purpose was to capture how these issues are affecting consumers.

Method: A total of 496 vehicle owners in the United States were surveyed online and by phone about their experiences repairing front crash prevention (n = 359), blind spot detection (n = 317), and/or driver assistance cameras (n = 348) equipped on their personal vehicles.

Effects of lowering speed limits on crash severity in Seattle.

Introduction: Effective November 2016, the default speed limit in Seattle was lowered from 25 to 20 mph on nonarterial streets and from 30 to 25 mph on arterial streets, unless otherwise posted. In the downtown area, signs indicating the new speed limit were installed on arterials when the lower default limit took effect. Outside the downtown, new speed limit signs were installed on some arterials starting in 2018.

Habits, attitudes, and expectations of regular users of partial driving automation systems.

Introduction: Little is known about regular users' perceptions of partial (Level 2) automation or how those perceptions affect behind-the-wheel behavior.

Method: A mixed mode (phone and online) survey explored the habits, expectations, and attitudes among regular users of General Motors Super Cruise (n = 200), Nissan/Infiniti ProPILOT Assist (n = 202), and Tesla Autopilot (n = 202).

Results: All three groups reported being more likely to engage in non-driving-related activities while using their systems than while driving unassisted.

Are front crash prevention systems less effective at preventing rear-end crashes where trucks and motorcycles are struck?

Objective: Automatic emergency braking (AEB) and forward collision warning (FCW) are effective at preventing rear-end crashes, but they may perform better in some rear-end crash scenarios than others. The goal of this study was to estimate the effects of front crash prevention systems equipped to passenger vehicles in crashes where another passenger vehicle, a medium/heavy truck, or a motorcycle is struck and compare effectiveness by struck vehicle type.

Methods: More than 160,000 two-vehicle rear-end crashes were identified where a passenger vehicle with or without FCW and AEB was the striking vehicle and another passenger vehicle, medium/heavy truck, or motorcycle was the struck vehicle.

Prevalence of distracted driving by driver characteristics in the United States.

Introduction: Distracted driving is a long-standing traffic safety concern, though common secondary tasks continually evolve. The goal of this study was to measure the prevalence of self-reported distracted driving behaviors, including activities made possible in recent years by smartphones.

Methods: We conducted a nationwide survey of 2,013 U.

The association between strengthened cellphone laws and police-reported rear-end crash rates.

Introduction: Prior evaluations of the connection between cellphone bans and crashes show unclear results. California, Oregon, and Washington enacted legislation (effective in 2017) to update earlier bans specific to handheld conversation and texting. This study evaluated the relationship between the laws and rear-end rates, a crash type sensitive to visual-manual cellphone use, in California, Oregon, and Washington.

Effects of a rural speed management pilot program in Bishopville, Maryland, on public opinion and vehicle speeds.

Introduction: In summer 2021, a speed management pilot program was conducted on a rural two-lane road (MD 367) in Bishopville, Maryland, that combined countermeasures from engineering, enforcement, and communications. The study evaluated public awareness of the program and its effects on speeds.

Method: Telephone surveys of drivers in Bishopville and neighboring communities, and of drivers in control communities across the state that had no program, were conducted before and after the program started.

Safety potential of crash avoidance features, improved headlights, and V2V-enhanced technologies for older drivers.

Introduction: Age-related changes and frailty are among the reasons that older drivers are overrepresented in certain crash types. Vehicle safety features that address these crash types may therefore deliver greater safety benefits for older drivers than for other age groups even though they are designed for the general population.

Methods: U.

Consumer demand for partial driving automation and hands-free driving capability.

Introduction: It is often assumed that consumers want partial driving automation in their vehicles, yet there has been little research on the topic. Also unclear is what the public's appetite is for hands-free driving capability, automated (auto)-lane-change functionality, and driver monitoring that helps reinforce proper use of these features.

Method: Through an internet-based survey of a nationally representative sample of 1,010 U.

Effects of forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking on rear-end crashes involving pickup trucks.

Objective: Forward collision warning (FCW) and automatic emergency braking (AEB) have found to be effective on cars, SUVs, and large trucks. The objective of this study was to extend prior work and estimate the effects of FCW and AEB on pickups.

Methods: Rear-end crashes where a pickup with optional FCW or AEB was the striking vehicle were identified in 25 U.

Changing vehicles to reduce older driver fatalities: An effective approach?

Introduction: Age-related frailty leaves older drivers with the greatest fatality risk when involved in a crash compared with younger demographics. This study explored how vehicle features differed between crash-involved older and middle-aged drivers and estimated how those differences contribute to excess older driver fatalities.

Methods: We merged Florida's crash data from 2014-2018 with Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute databases.

Older driver vehicle preferences and perceptions of safety: A survey.

Introduction: Older adults drive older vehicles despite the safety benefits of newer, more crashworthy vehicles. We aimed to build upon previous research and assess vehicle preferences, buying and ownership patterns, and perceptions of safety among older drivers compared with middle-aged drivers.

Methods: Mixed-mode telephone and online panel surveys were conducted with a nationally representative sample of drivers ages 35-54 and 70 and older.

Changes in speeding on Virginia roads during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: We investigated changes in the prevalence of speeding during March-June 2020, the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, in Virginia.

Methods: Vehicle speed data from 506 permanent speed counter stations around the state collected during March-June 2019 and March-June 2020 were analyzed.

Results: Increases in the proportion of vehicles traveling at least 5 mph and 10 mph above the speed limit were greatest on urban interstates and other freeways, during early morning (6:00-8:59 a.

Relationship of pedestrian crash types and passenger vehicle types.

Introduction: This is the first known study that examines the association between common pedestrian crash types and passenger vehicle types.

Method: The analysis included single-vehicle, single-pedestrian crashes from two data sets: North Carolina state crash data and the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). We performed separate multinomial logistic regression analyses of major pedestrian crash types occurring at or near intersections and at nonintersections.

Safety effects of roundabout conversions in Carmel, Indiana, the Roundabout City.

Introduction: Roundabouts are a proven safety countermeasure for intersection safety. This study examined the safety effects of roundabout conversions in Carmel, Indiana, also known as the "Roundabout City." Doing so is of particular interest because Carmel has a high density of roundabouts and its drivers understand their effectiveness and are familiar with navigating them.

Teen driver crashes potentially preventable by crash avoidance features and teen-driver-specific safety technologies.

Introduction: Vehicle technologies have the potential to help address the disproportionate crash risk that teen drivers face. While crash avoidance features benefit the general population, several address crash scenarios for which teen drivers are particularly at risk, such as rear-end and lane-drift crashes. Other emerging technologies have been designed for teen drivers by addressing certain crash or injury risk factors associated with risky driving behavior, such as speeding or not wearing a seat belt.

Effects of automatic emergency braking systems on pedestrian crash risk.

Objective: Automatic emergency braking (AEB) that detects pedestrians has great potential to reduce pedestrian crashes. The objective of this study was to examine its effects on real-world police-reported crashes.

Methods: Two methods were used to assess the effects of pedestrian-detecting AEB on pedestrian crash risk.

Speeding behavior while using adaptive cruise control and lane centering in free flow traffic.

Objective: Adaptive cruise control (ACC) and lane centering are usually marketed as convenience features but may also serve a safety purpose. However, given that speeding is associated with increased crash risk and worse crash outcomes, the extent to which driver's speed using ACC may reduce the maximum safety benefit they can obtain from this system. The current study was conducted to characterize speeding behavior among drivers using adaptive cruise control and a similar system with added lane centering.

Weekday bicycle traffic and crash rates during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: One of the most consequential effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns was a dramatic reduction in travel during peak hours. Transportation modes also shifted-in particular, travel by car became more rare while bicycling saw a resurgence. Given that a typical year sees the most severe bicycle crashes in peak commuter traffic, the shift toward bicycle travel that occurred in 2020 will likely have been accompanied by unique changes in rider behavior (e.

Continued trends in older driver crash involvement rates in the United States: Data through 2017-2018.

Introduction: With the growing older adult population due to the aging baby-boom cohort, there was concern that increases in fatal motor-vehicle crashes would follow. Yet, previous analyses showed this to be untrue. The purpose of this study was to examine current trends to determine if previous declines have persisted or risen with the recent increase in fatalities nationwide.

Injuries related to electric scooter and bicycle use in a Washington, DC, emergency department.

Objective: E-scooter use has grown rapidly in the United States. Its rise in popularity has coincided with the promotion of cycling in many cities, but more needs to be known about how these transportation modes compare to determine if cycling should serve as an appropriate benchmark for policy decisions and safety expectations regarding e-scooters.

Methods: We examined characteristics of adults seeking treatment in a Washington, DC, emergency department (ED) for injuries associated with riding e-scooters during 2019 ( = 99) or bicycles during 2015-2017 ( = 337).

Severity of e-scooter rider injuries associated with trip characteristics.

Introduction: E-scooter rider injuries have been growing, but little is known about how trip and incident characteristics contribute to their severity.

Method: We enrolled 105 adults injured while riding e-scooters who presented to an emergency department in Washington, DC, during 2019. Enrolled participants completed an interview during the emergency department visit, and their charts were abstracted to document their injuries and treatment.

What humanlike errors do autonomous vehicles need to avoid to maximize safety?

Introduction: The final failure in the causal chain of events in 94% of crashes is driver error. It is assumed most crashes will be prevented by autonomous vehicles (AVs), but AVs will still crash if they make the same mistakes as humans. By identifying the distribution of crashes among various contributing factors, this study provides guidance on the roles AVs must perform and errors they must avoid to realize their safety potential.