Teen Driving and Motor Vehicle Crashes Crash Statistics

Teen Driving and Motor Vehicle Crashes

Crash Statistics 2006 – Over 43, 000 Killed In Crashes Nationwide n 2006 – Over 770 Killed In Crashes In NJ n 2006 – Over 300, 000 Crashes Reported In NJ n

Cause of Death Age 16 -20 NHTSA 2003 #1 - MV Traffic Crashes (5, 988) n #2 – Homicide (2, 489) n #3 – Suicide (1, 813) n #4 - Accidental Poisoning (752) n #5 – Cancer (749) n

Cause of Death Age 16 -20 NHTSA 2003

MV Crashes #1 Cause of Death for Youths 16 -20 Approx 1/3 Of All Deaths In This Age Group. n More Than #2 - #5 Combined n Why? n – Inexperience – Easily Distracted n Driver Inattention #1 Cause Of Fatal Collisions In NJ

What Can We Do?

The Three E’s Engineering n Enforcement n Education n

Avoiding Crashes We Must Know Our Limitations n Human Limitations n Vehicle Limitations n

Human Limitations n Physical Limitations n Mental Limitations

Three Collisions Human Limitations n Vehicle Collision – Initial Crash n Human Collision – Body Into Interior Of Vehicle n Internal Collision – Internal Injuries/Lacerations – Transection of Aorta – Brain Injuries

Cranial Cavity

Three Collisions

Three Collisions Human Limitations n Speed Kills? – Sudden Stop – Tremendous Forces n Multiply Weight By Speed – Delta V (Velocity Change) – Occupant Restraints Increase Time During Delta V

Reducing Forces of the Human Collision Occupant Restraints n Seat Belts n Air Bags n

Occupant Restraints Reducing The Effect Of The Human Collision Decrease Injury By Increasing Delta V Time n Hold Occupants In Place During Collision n Unrestrained Occupants Act As Human Bullets n

Occupant Restraints Reducing The Effect Of The Human Collision n Lap Belt – Hold Occupant In Position n Shoulder Harness – Stops Jack Knife Effect n Air Bag – Prevents Head Strikes

Perception And Reaction Human Limitations n What Is It? – Time Needed To Perceive And React – No Instant Reactions n How Long? – 1. 5 Seconds Average n Daytime n Experienced Drivers

Visual Acuity Human Limitations n Eye Function – Rods Vs Cones n Rods – Are More Sensitive – Not Sensitive To Color n Cones – Sensitive to Color – Fovea Centralis (All Cones)

Visual Acuity Human Limitations

Conspicuity At Night n Reduced Lighting – Shades Of Grey – Over Driving Headlights – Pedestrian Visibility

Vehicle Limitations Traction n Braking n Lateral Acceleration (Cornering) n

Vehicle Handling n Friction And Handling – Friction Circle Straight Roads n Curves n – Inertial Forces – Critical Curve Speed

Friction Circle

Limitations Human n Vehicle (Mechanical) n Driving Is A Learned Behavior n New Drivers Need More Time To React n More Time n – Increased Following Distances – Reduced Speeds

Perception And Reaction Human Limitations n What Is It? – Time Needed To Perceive And React – No Instant Reactions n How Long? – 1. 5 Seconds Average n Daytime n Experienced Drivers

Perception And Reaction n More Time Needed For: – Night – Inexperienced Drivers – Adverse Weather n Following Distance – 2 Seconds – More For New Drivers

Speed Issues Speed Is A Contributing Factor In Most Serious And Fatal Crashes n Speed Increases Stopping Distance n – Perception/Reaction – Braking Speed Decreases Percep/React Time n Speed + Reduced Visibility = Bad n – Night, Rain, Snow, Fog

Speed Issues How Fast Are We Really Going n MPH or FPS n MPH * 1. 466 = FPS n

Speed Issues MPH vs. FPS n 25 mph = 36. 65 fps n 35 mph = 51. 31 fps n 45 mph = 65. 97 fps n 55 mph = 80. 63 fps n 65 mph = 95. 29 fps n 75 mph = 109. 95 fps n

Speed Issues n n n n Perception/Reaction Distance Speed * 1. 466 * 1. 5 sec 25 mph – 54. 9 Feet 35 mph – 76. 9 Feet 45 mph – 98. 9 Feet 55 mph – 120. 9 Feet 65 mph – 142. 9 Feet 75 mph – 164. 9 Feet

Speed Issues Braking Distance n Dependent on Speed and Surface Friction n Lower Friction Increases Braking Distance n Dry Roads Have Highest Friction n

Speed Issues Roadway Friction Values (Approx) n Dry Pavement f=0. 6 to 0. 8 n Wet Pavement f=0. 45 to 0. 65 n Snow Covered f=0. 3 to 0. 55 n Ice Covered f=0. 05 to 0. 2 n

Speed Issues n Braking Distance Formula

Speed Issues Dry Pavement Braking (f=0. 7) n 25 mph – 29. 7 Feet n 35 mph – 58. 3 Feet n 45 mph – 96. 4 Feet n 55 mph – 144 Feet n 65 mph – 201. 1 Feet n 75 mph – 267. 8 Feet n

Speed Issues Dry Pavement Braking (f=0. 7)

Speed Issues Slide to Stop n Different Surfaces at 45 mph n Dry - 96. 4 Feet (f=0. 7) n Wet – 122. 7 Feet (f=0. 55) n Snow – 168. 7 Feet (f=0. 4) n Ice – 337. 5 Feet (f=0. 2) n

Total Stopping Distance n Combine – Perception/Reaction Distance – Braking Distance

Stopping Distance Dry Pavement Percep/React + Braking=Total Stop D n 25 mph – 84. 6 Feet n 35 mph – 135. 2 Feet n 45 mph - 195. 3 Feet n 55 mph – 264. 9 Feet n 65 mph – 344 Feet n 75 mph – 432. 7 Feet n

Big Brother Is Watching Crash Reconstruction n Calculating Speed From: n – Tire Marks – Crush Damage – Momentum Analysis – Computer Modeling Air Bag Module n Car Chip n

Legal Consequences Tickets n Suspension n Increased Insurance Costs n Criminal Consequences n – Accident While Suspended – Vehicular Assault – Vehicular Homicide