Traffic injury prevention
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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.
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Traffic injury prevention · Jan 2018
Rollover injury in vehicles with high-strength-to-weight ratio (SWR) roofs, curtain and side airbags, and other safety improvements.
This study investigated trends in severe injury and ejection in rollover crashes involving lap-shoulder-belted drivers and right-front passengers. It was conducted because of changes in 2009 to consumer information programs and regulations related to rollover protection. The data are presented by model year (MY) of the vehicle in groups from 1995 to 2016. NASS-CDS cases with 2010-2016 MY vehicles were also evaluated to determine the crash circumstances and causes for severe injury of belted occupants in vehicles with a high strength-to-weight (SWR) roof, curtain, and side airbags and other safety improvements. ⋯ This study found a reduction in severe injury and ejection risk with modern vehicles. It indicates that vehicle safety has improved in response to IIHS and NHTSA efforts to expand the array of safety requirements and increase performance so that newer models are safer than earlier ones. There has been an incremental improvement in safety due to these advances.