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Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH)

A USDOT University Transportation Center

Number of Collisions/Crashes

The number of collisions/crashes is a measurable indicator that measures how often accidents occur on a particular stretch of road. It can be used to identify areas where safety improvements are needed. These improvements might include changes to the road design, the addition of traffic control devices, or increased enforcement of speed limits. The number of collisions/crashes can be affected by a number of factors, including the amount of traffic on the road, the speed limit, and the condition of the road surface.1 This indicator analyzes the number of vehicle crash occurrences before and after a strategy regarding traffic safety is implemented.

This indicator helps determine the effectiveness of the following objectives

  • Less Contamination
  • Less Emissions
  • Less Traffic Noise
  • Connectivity and Inclusion
  • Healthy Destinations
  • Less Traffic Violence
  • Active Transportation
  • Green Space

Data Collection

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is an example of an organization that records data on the number of collisions and crashes. Every year, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) investigates thousands of collisions and crashes across the state. This data includes information on the location, time, and type of accident, as well as any injuries or fatalities that resulted.2

There are a number of organizations that collect data on the number of collisions and crashes. Some of these include:

– The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
– The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
– State Departments of Transportation (DOTs)

Each of these organizations has different methods for collecting and reporting data, so it is important to compare and contrast their findings. The NHTSA, for example, uses police reports to compile its data, while the IIHS relies on insurance claims. State DOTs use a variety of methods, including police reports, hospital records, and self-reported surveys.

Examples

New report shows how many accidents, injuries collision avoidance systems prevent

The Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted a study to measure the number of collisions/crashes using collision avoidance systems. These systems have shown that they prevent some of the deadliest accidents on the road because they give the driver time to avoid a crash. The IIHS analyzed more than 5,000 accidents in 2015, even though there were warning systems to prevent these accidents from happening. From the findings of the study, IIHS recorded a 21% reduction in the number of collisions, which was due to the collision avoidance systems. The IIHS clarified that if these systems had been made available earlier, there would have been an aversion of over 55,000 injuries.

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/22/new-report-shows-how-many-accidents-injuries-collision-avoidance-systems-prevent.html

1. 4 major causes of traffic collisions [Internet]. Top Driver Driving School. 2018 [cited 2022 Aug 6]. Available from: https://www.topdriver.com/education-blog/4-major-causes-of-traffic-collisions/
2. California accident reports - find your crash reports online [Internet]. Myaccident.org. [cited 2022 Aug 6]. Available from: https://myaccident.org/california-accident-reports