1991 Traffic Accident Facts and Statistics

NHTSA · 1991 · ROSA P / Pennsylvania. Dept. of Transportation

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Summary

This document, published by the Center for Highway Safety of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, provides a comprehensive statistical review of reportable motor vehicle traffic accidents in Pennsylvania for the calendar year 1991. The data is compiled from traffic accident reports submitted by state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies. The report aims to quantify the scope, severity, and characteristics of highway safety incidents, offering a baseline for safety analysis and policy evaluation. The study analyzes 130,404 total accidents involving 333,679 people. The methodology involves categorizing accidents by severity (fatal, injury, property damage only), vehicle type, driver demographics, and environmental conditions. The report also incorporates historical trend data from 1987 to 1991 and compares Pennsylvania’s injury and fatality rates against neighboring states. Specific sections detail seat belt usage, alcohol involvement, and pedestrian-related incidents, utilizing data on licensed operators, registered vehicles, and vehicle miles traveled. Key findings indicate that 1,661 people were killed and 130,446 were injured in 1991, resulting in an estimated economic loss of $4.68 billion, or $394.07 per resident. Fatal accidents accounted for 1.16% of all crashes, while property damage-only accidents comprised 65.16%. Alcohol was involved in 40.8% of fatal accidents and 10.8% of all accidents. The most dangerous time for fatal accidents was between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m., with Saturday being the most dangerous day. Historical trends show a decline in fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles, dropping from 2.54 in 1987 to 1.90 in 1991. Seat belt data reveals that 59.47% of people involved in accidents had belts not in use, while 21.50% had belts in use. The significance of this report lies in its detailed breakdown of risk factors, such as the high correlation between alcohol use and fatalities, and the disproportionate impact on specific demographics, including young drivers and pedestrians. By providing granular data on accident types, locations, and outcomes, the document serves as a critical resource for identifying safety trends and evaluating the effectiveness of highway safety interventions in Pennsylvania.

Key finding

There were 130,404 reportable traffic accidents in Pennsylvania in 1991, resulting in 1,661 fatalities, 130,446 injuries, and an estimated economic loss of $4.68 billion.

Methodology

dataset

Provenance

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Topics

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• fatality injury trends
• incidence prevalence
• comparative international

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: crash risk outcomes