The Highway Risk Of Four-Wheelers
Data shows car drivers are cited for mistakes in 71% of fatal car-truck crashes.
OLIVER B. PATTON
WASHINGTON EDITOR
Truck drivers have long understood that the single biggest risk on the highway is the thing you cannot control -- the other driver, particularly the car driver.
This is not just an idle observation by truckers who happen to be annoyed by four-wheelers. Official statistics show that most of the mistakes that lead to fatal car-truck accidents are triggered by the car driver. Department of Transportation analysis of data collected by police officers show that the car driver is cited for mistakes in 71% of fatal car-truck accidents.
Now there is new evidence from an unexpected source that underscores the point, and adds details that could help prevent future accidents.
A draft study by the American Automobile Assn. Foundation for Traffic Safety confirms that unsafe driver actions are much more likely to be recorded for car drivers than for truck drivers. It also found four particular risk factors among car drivers: fatigue, following improperly, vision obscured by outside conditions, and improper lane changes.
Fatigue-related behaviors, including being asleep at the wheel, were cited 87% of the time among car drivers, compared to 13% for truck drivers. Improper following was cited 73% of the time among car drivers, compared to 26% for truck drivers. Improper or erratic lane change: 75% compared to 24%. Vision obscured by rain, snow, fog or other conditions: 48% compared to 12% (in the other cases, both drivers were cited).
The study also found that male car drivers are more likely than female drivers to get into accidents because they are tired, or following too closely. The risk between men and women is equal in accidents caused by an improper lane change or obscured vision. Fatigue, alcohol and speeding are bigger accident factors for younger drivers, while obscured vision is a greater factor for older drivers.
Besides understanding the behaviors that lead to accidents, the AAA Foundation was looking for ways to improve training for car drivers. The draft says that standard educational tools, such as brochures and videos, will not be as effective as a more hands-on approach. The best method would be to put car drivers in a tractor-trailer on a closed track, so they could see for themselves the differences in the way cars and trucks handle. Since this approach would not be practical for large numbers of people, the draft suggests using computer-based driving simulations.
The study used original police report data taken from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, the official source of these types of statistics. It was prepared by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute for the AAA Foundation.
It remains to be seen what the foundation will do with the draft, and its recommendations. The final version of the study, which may differ from the draft, is due this spring, a foundation official said.
The foundation is an unexpected source for this information. As the research arm of the AAA, the foundation typically takes the perspective that cars are victimized by trucks. In fact, an internal dispute over how the study should be handled led to the resignation of the foundation president, David Willis. Willis said that due to his separation agreement he could not comment on the situation. He did note, however, that within AAA, "whenever trucks aren't the bad guys, certain people react badly."
More News
Border Protection Key To Opening
DOT Moves To Protect Global Positioning System
Analysis Of New Hours Service Under Way
Heavy Duty Trucking Editors Win Two More Prizes
Trucking Twice Burned In Recession
Fuel Surcharge Bill Introduced
TCA Elects Officers, Hands Out Awards
