Citation

Eshler JM. Transp. Res. Rec. 1977; 643: 10-12.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1977, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The relationship between the economy and national fatal-accident rates on a per-vehicle basis is analyzed. Although the relationship is obscured by the strong downward trend in the accident-rate data, there are consistencies apparent in the data. Accident rates historically (1949 to 1973) have decreased during recession periods and increased or changed in rate of decrease after each recession period. Of the specific economic measures studied, national unemployment rates showed the highest correlation (r=0.86) with fatal-accident rates that were adjusted for the downward trend. Because the performance of the economy seems to have an effect on fatal-accident rates, it may be hazardous to compare fatal-accident data from one year to another without considering the economic conditions in the years compared.