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Effects of winter precipitation on automobile collisions, injuries, and fatalities in the United States

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  • Black, Alan W.
  • Mote, Thomas L.

Abstract

To better understand the links between winter precipitation (snow, sleet, and freezing rain) and travel risk, data on weather conditions and vehicle crashes, injuries and fatalities are gathered for 13 U.S. cities. A matched pair analysis is used to construct event-control pairs to determine the relative risk of crash, injury, and fatality. Winter precipitation is associated with a 19% increase in traffic crashes and a 13% increase in injuries compared to dry conditions. The type of winter precipitation (snowfall vs. freezing rain, ice pellets, or sleet) had no significant impact on the relative risk of crash. The relative risk of crash was significantly higher during the evening (1800–2359 local time) than during other times of the day. More intense precipitation led to increased relative risk of crash and injury compared to less intense precipitation. Relative risk of crash, injury, or fatality was not significantly higher during the first three winter precipitation events of the year as compared to subsequent events. The relative risk of both winter precipitation crash and injury showed no significant trend during the 1998–2008 period. Sensitivity of U.S. cities to winter precipitation varies from city to city in a manner that is not easily explained. Future research will be required to determine which safety interventions are most effective in each city and revise or expand safety programs appropriately.

Suggested Citation

  • Black, Alan W. & Mote, Thomas L., 2015. "Effects of winter precipitation on automobile collisions, injuries, and fatalities in the United States," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 165-175.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jotrge:v:48:y:2015:i:c:p:165-175
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2015.09.007
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Jonathan Davis & Diane S. Rohlman, 2021. "Winter Weather-Related Crashes during the Commute to Work: An Opportunity for Total Worker Health ®," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-10, September.
    3. Brazil, William & White, Arthur & Nogal, Maria & Caulfield, Brian & O'Connor, Alan & Morton, Craig, 2017. "Weather and rail delays: Analysis of metropolitan rail in Dublin," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 69-76.
    4. Fu, Chuanyun & Lu, Zhaoyou & Ding, Naikan & Bai, Wei, 2024. "Distance headway-based safety evaluation of emerging mixed traffic flow under snowy weather," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 642(C).
    5. Daniel Burow & Christopher Atkinson, 2019. "An examination of traffic volume during snow events in northeast Ohio," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 99(2), pages 1179-1189, November.
    6. Brad Hartman & Harvey Cutler & Martin Shields & Dave Turner, 2021. "The economic effects of improved precipitation forecasts in the United States due to better commuting decisions," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(4), pages 2149-2171, December.

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