Traffic injury prevention
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Traffic injury prevention · Jan 2018
Driving behaviors associated with emergency service vehicle crashes in the U.S. fire service.
Emergency service vehicle incidents are a leading cause of firefighter fatalities and are also hazardous to civilian road users. Modifiable driving behaviors may be associated with emergency service vehicle incidents. The goal of this study was to use telematics to identify driving behaviors associated with crashes in the fire service. ⋯ Harsh braking and excessive speeding were driving behaviors most associated with crash in the fire service. Telematics may be a useful tool for monitoring driver safety in the fire service.
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Traffic injury prevention · Jan 2018
Nationwide risk factors for hospital readmission for subsequent injury after motor vehicle crashes.
Some drivers involved in motor vehicle crashes across the United States may be identified as at risk of subsequent injury by a similar mechanism. The purpose of this study was to perform a national review of the risk factors for hospitalization for a new injury due to a subsequent motor vehicle crash. It was hypothesized that presenting to a different hospital after subsequent injury would result in worse patient outcomes when compared to presentation at the same hospital. ⋯ Nearly a third of patients suffering subsequent motor vehicle crash-related injury after an initial motor vehicle crash in the United States present to a different hospital. These patients are more likely to suffer more severe injuries and longer hospitalizations due to their subsequent injury. Future efforts to prevent these injuries must consider the impact of this fragmentation of care and the implications for quality and cost improvements.
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Traffic injury prevention · Jan 2018
Effect of traffic density on drivers' lane change and overtaking maneuvers in freeway situation-A driving simulator-based study.
The aim of this study is to examine the effect of traffic density on drivers' lane change and overtaking maneuvers. The differences between drivers' left and right lane changing/overtaking maneuvers were also investigated. ⋯ The results showed that as traffic density increases, drivers' lane changing and overtaking intentions are enhanced. Both initial overtaking distance and headway decrease with traffic density, which might influence road safety. In addition, drivers do not show a preference on the directions of lane change or overtaking according to frequency. However, drivers tend to be more decisive and reckless when overtaking on the right because of a smaller distance/headway before overtaking, higher instantaneous acceleration, and a more restricted field of view compared with overtaking on the left.