2000 Motor Vehicle Occupant Safety Survey. Volume 4, Crash Injury and Emergency Medical Services Report

Boyle, John M., 1947-; Vanderwolf, Patricia · 2001 · ROSA P / United States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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Summary

This report presents findings from Volume 4 of the 2000 Motor Vehicle Occupant Safety Survey, conducted for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The study addresses the prevalence of crash injuries, patterns of emergency medical service utilization, and public attitudes toward assisting crash victims. As the fourth in a series of biennial national telephone surveys, it aims to monitor changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to motor vehicle occupant safety over time. The methodology involved a national telephone survey administered by Schulman, Ronca & Bucuvalas, Inc. between November 2000 and January 2001. The survey utilized two questionnaires, each administered to a randomly selected sample of approximately 6,000 persons aged 16 or older, resulting in a total of 12,121 completed interviews. The data are weighted to reflect the national population. The report focuses specifically on modules regarding crash injury experience, treatment locations, seat belt usage outcomes, concerns about stopping at crash scenes, and the availability and use of cellular phones for emergency reporting. Key findings indicate that 28.4% of the population aged 16 and older reported ever being injured in a vehicle crash requiring medical attention. Approximately 16% of the total population sustained injuries severe enough to prevent normal activities for at least a week. Injury rates were highest among those aged 16–24. Regarding treatment, 73% of injured individuals were treated in a hospital emergency room, and 49% were transported by ambulance or helicopter. Seat belt use significantly impacted outcomes: 30% of unbelted occupants were hospitalized compared to 16% of those wearing seat belts. Public attitudes revealed that while 62% of respondents stated they would definitely stop to help at a crash scene, concerns about personal safety (19%) and lack of knowledge on how to assist (17%) were prevalent. Females expressed greater concern about stopping than males. Additionally, the proportion of drivers carrying cellular or car phones continued to increase across all community types. The significance of these findings lies in their contribution to understanding the burden of motor vehicle injuries and the effectiveness of occupant protection measures. The data highlight the protective benefit of seat belts in reducing hospitalization rates. Furthermore, the survey identifies barriers to bystander assistance, such as safety concerns and liability fears, which may inform public education campaigns. The increasing prevalence of cellular phone usage suggests a growing reliance on technology for emergency communication, a trend relevant for emergency medical service planning and response strategies.

Key finding

Persons not wearing a seat belt at the time of a crash were about twice as likely to be hospitalized from crash-related injuries as those wearing seat belts.

Methodology

survey

Sample size: 12121

Provenance

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Topics

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• incidence prevalence
• demographic disparities
• post crash care delays

Information type

What kind of knowledge this paper contributes, grouped by family — independent of topic (what it is about) and method (how it was studied).

• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence, crash risk outcomes