BTS Releases Report on Factors Involved in Fatal Vehicle Crashes

U.S. Department of Transportation
October 8, 2010

The Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) today released a technical report, Factors Involved in Fatal Vehicle Crashes, examining the numerous factors that contribute to the severity of fatal motor vehicle crashes. Analysis of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) database shows single-vehicle crash fatalities are the most prevalent. The main factors are: for single-vehicle fatal crashes, whether traffic controls are working, and the first harmful event in a crash (e.g., rollover, traffic barrier, or ditch); for two-vehicle fatal crashes, traffic controls and the characteristics of the roadway (e.g., roadway alignment or surface type); and for multi-vehicle (three or more) crashes, road characteristics, vehicle speed, and road type (e.g., interstate or country road). The report can be found at http://www.bts.gov/publications/bts_technical_report/. Contact Dave Smallen: 202-366-5568.