Citation

Burritt BE, Moghrabi A, Matthias JS. Transp. Res. Rec. 1976; 609: 34-35.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1976, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

An investigation to establish if there is a causal relationship between the reduced number of traffic accidents and traffic fatalities in Arizona in 1974 and the 88-km/h (55 mph) speed limit is reported. Characteristics of drivers involved in fatal accidents were age, sex, physical condition and familiarity with fatal accident location. The factors considered in the accident environment category, and data showing the relationships between the study area and total statewide fatal accidents are discussed. The study found that neither driver characteristics nor vehicle characteristics affected in 1974 reduction in fatal accidents, and that traffic-related environmental factors that influence driving conditions and travel patterns changed between 1973 and 1974. All categories of accidents decreased in 1974. The number of fatal accidents and the total number of accidents had the highest relative decrease on Interstate Highways. Interstate highways that had speed limits of 120 km/h (75 mph) in 1973 had the largest decrease in total accident rates.