Traffic Crashes in Fort Collins
and How To Avoid Them
Human Resources “Knowledge Pot”
July 27, 2011
1
Purpose
•Identify Traffic Crash Types
•Learn about Errors that Lead to Crashes
•Discuss Techniques to Avoid Common Crashes
2
1
About the Data
•Crash Data from Police Crash Reports
•Public Street Crashes Only (no parking lots)
•Reported Crashes Only (many go unreported)
•Only Crashes that Involve a Motor Vehicle
•Extensive Error Checking
•2007 – 2010 Data
•Traffic Volume Information from Traffic Ops
•Drivers License Info from the State Department of
Revenue
3
4
2
Total Crashes, 2007 – 2010
Number of Crashes
10000
3738
3462
3580
820
728
707
3561
1000
743
100
11
10
4
2
3
1
2007
Total
2008
Injury
2009
2010
Fatal
5
Crashes by Day of the Week
2253
2083
20%
2556
2282
2231
1773
1500
1163
10%
nd
ay
Su
Sa
tu
rd
ay
id
ay
Fr
ur
sd
a
Th
W
ed
ne
sd
ay
ay
es
d
Tu
on
d
y
0%
ay
0
M
Crashes
3000
Crashes
% of Weekly Traffic
6
3
Crashes by Time of Day, Monday - Friday
1400
Crashes
1003
793
752
608
700
12%
1216
1157
983
866
467 477
167
88 62 38 35 50
8%
667
592
392
266 243 187
154
142
PM
PM
00
9:
6:
00
3:
12
:0
00
PM
PM
0
AM
00
9:
6:
3:
00
AM
00
0
12
:0
AM
0%
AM
0
4%
Day
Crashes
% of Daily Traffic
7
Crashes by Time of Day, Saturday
160
142 139
Crashes
111
102
92
80
62
52
45 43
20
12 11 14
9%
131 137 130
113
96
61
58
50
9:
00
PM
PM
6:
00
PM
3:
00
PM
0
12
:0
AM
00
9:
6:
00
AM
00
3:
AM
0%
AM
0
3%
28
0
12
:0
6%
63 61
Day
Crashes
% of Daily Traffic
8
4
Crashes by Time of Day, Sunday
120
Crashes
85
60
10%
98 98
59
73 79
74
82
57 58
48
47
43
37
17
29
17
12 11
7
9:
00
PM
PM
00
6:
3:
00
PM
PM
0
12
:0
AM
00
9:
6:
00
AM
00
3:
0
AM
0%
AM
0
12
:0
5%
41 45
24 22
Day
Crashes
% of Daily Traffic
9
Crashes by Location
NonIntersection
29%
Signalized
Intersection
43%
Alley
1%
Driveway
8%
10
Unsignalized
Intersection
19%
5
Crashes by Age
3500
30%
3000
2500
2607
2237
25%
20%
2027
2000
15%
1327
1500
1199
10%
878
1000
443
500
387
0
5%
0%
15-19 20-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+
Number of Crashes
Percentage of Licensed Drivers
11
DUI Crashes by Age
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
35%
186
30%
25%
124
20%
81
65
15%
59
10%
34
5%
4
5
0%
15-19 20-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+
Number of Crashes
Percentage of Licensed Drivers
12
6
What Causes Crashes?
INATTENTION!
13
INATTENTION
• Inattention is the direct or underlying cause of most
crashes.
• When you’re driving a car, DRIVING should be your
#1 priority and main focus.
• Improving concentration and reducing distractions
are the biggest changes that most experienced
drivers could make to improve their driving
14
7
INATTENTION
•
•
Cell phones are only one of many distractions
Some others include:
– Adjusting audio controls
– Eating/Drinking
– Smoking
– Reading/Writing
– Grooming
– Babies/Children
– Other vehicle controls (a.c., heat etc.)
– External distractions (rubber necking)
15
Crashes by Type
Overtaking Turn
2%
Bike
4%
Pedestrian
1%
Other
4%
Sideswipe
7%
Fixed Object
7%
Rear End
44%
Approach Turn
8%
Parking
11%
16
Right Angle
12%
8
Severe Injury/Fatal Crashes by Type
Head On
2%
Other
6%
Rear End
9%
Pedestrian
9%
Right Angle
16%
Bike
22%
Parking
5%
Approach Turn
16%
Fixed Object
15%
17
Bicycle Crashes
Head On
2%
Other
6%
Rear End
9%
Pedestrian
9%
Right Angle
16%
Parking
5%
Bike
22%
Approach Turn
16%
• Number of Bike Crashes
has Remained Steady
the Past Four Years
• 15 – 34 Year Old
Bicyclists are
Overrepresented in Bike
Crashes
Fixed Object
15%
18
9
Bicycle Crashes
• 83% of bicycle crashes occurred at intersections.
Most involved right of way violations by motorists
and/or bicyclists
• 36% of bike crashes involved bikes riding
against traffic (usually from the sidewalk)
conflicting with cross street vehicles
19
Bicycle Crashes
Bicyclists
• Don’t ride against traffic
• Avoid riding on the sidewalk. If necessary slow to walking
speed to cross intersections, driveways, alleys etc.
• Obey rules of the road
Motorists
• Check to the right even when turning right
• “See” bicyclists at intersections
• Obey rules of the road
20
10
Right Angle Crashes
• 65% of Right Angle
Crashes Occurred at
Unsignalized
Intersections
•28% of Right Angle
Crashes Involved Red
Light Running at Signals
21
Right Angle Crashes
Failure to Yield at Unsignalized Intersections
Most broadside accidents occur after stopping at a STOP sign
22
11
Right Angle Crashes
Failure to Yield at Unsignalized Intersections
23
Right Angle Crashes
Failure to Yield at Unsignalized Intersections
• Crossing or making a left turn from a STOP at a busy
cross street is one of the most challenging tasks for
drivers.
– Be patient, don’t take risks due to long delays
– Consider turning right instead of left if your
patience is wearing thin
– Plan alternate routes to avoid difficult
intersections
24
12
Right Angle Crashes
Red Light Running
• High speed approaches to signalized
intersections cause special problems
25
26
13
Right Angle Crashes
Red Light Running
• On high speed approaches let off the accelerator in
anticipation of a yellow light
• Remember that rain and snow increase stopping
distances and adjust your speed and decisions
accordingly
• If stopped at a red light be aware of red light running
potential before proceeding
27
Approach Turn Crashes
• 75% of Approach Turn
Accidents Occurred at
Signalized Intersections
28
14
Approach Turn Crashes
• Many approach turn accidents occur when the signal
turns yellow
• Avoid this type of accident by making sure that
oncoming traffic is stopping before making your turn
• It is legal to be in an intersection on a red light – wait
as long as necessary before completing your turn
• If approaching an intersection and someone in the
opposite direction is turning left, err on the side of
caution if the light turns yellow. Don’t trust that they’ll
wait.
29
Approach Turn Crashes
30
15
Fixed Object Crashes
Head On
2%
Other
6%
Rear End
9%
Pedestrian
9%
• Utility Poles, Curbs,
Right Angle
16%
Parking
5%
Bike
22%
Approach Turn
16%
Medians, Traffic Signs,
Fences and Trees are
Most Commonly Hit
• Alcohol Plays a Large
Role in Fixed Object
Crashes
Fixed Object
15%
31
Pedestrians
Pedestrian
9%
Head On
2%
Other
6%
Rear End
9%
Right Angle
16%
Parking
5%
Bike
22%
Approach Turn
16%
• Pedestrians 15 – 19
Years Old are Nearly
Twice as Likely as
Expected to be Involved
in Crashes
• 81% of Serious
Injury/Fatal Crashes
Occur at Night
Fixed Object
15%
32
16
Pedestrians
• Motorists Failing to Yield at Intersections Account for 46%
of Pedestrian Crashes
• Pedestrians Darting Out or Failing to Yield
Account for 69% of Severe Injury/Fatal
Crashes
33
Pedestrian Crashes
Pedestrians
• Don’t assume motorists see you (especially at night and at
busy intersections)
• Watch for turning vehicles at intersections. Wait if
necessary even if you have the right of way. Make eye
contact.
Motorists
• Look along your turning path (left or right) for pedestrians
34
17
Rear End Crashes
Head On
2%
Other
6%
Pedestrian
9%
Rear End
9%
Right Angle
16%
Parking
5%
Bike
22%
Approach Turn
16%
Fixed Object
15%
35
Rear End Crashes
Avoid Rear Ending Someone
• Keep a safe following distance and be prepared to
stop
• Pay Attention!
36
18
Rear End Crashes
Avoid Getting Rear Ended
• Don’t stop suddenly – know where you’re going
• Pay attention and plan your turns in advance
• Use turn signals – turn on your signal BEFORE you
put on your brakes to slow down
• Make your turn quickly (provided it is safe to do so –
watch for pedestrians)
37
Rear End Crashes
Avoid Getting Rear Ended
• Don’t encourage tailgating
– Stay with the flow of traffic
– Keep right as necessary to allow faster traffic to pass
– If someone is following too close take extra precautions
when slowing or turning
• Signal for longer periods of time
• Slow more gradually
• Tap your brakes repeatedly to flash your brake lights
while slowing
38
19
Other Tips
• Wear your seatbelt
– The evidence is indisputable that wearing your seatbelt
substantially reduces your chances of injury or death if you
are involved in an accident
• Helmets for motorcyclists
– Evidence supporting the safety benefit of helmets for
motorcyclists, while not as strong as for seatbelts, still
suggests a benefit to wearing a helmet
39
Questions?
40
20