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Abstract #150669

Bahman Roudsari, MD MPH PhD, Epidemiology, University of Texas School of Public Health, 5323 Harry Hines, V8.112, Dallas, TX 75390-9128, 214-648-1054, bahman.roudsari@utsouthwestern.edu, Robert Kaufman, BS, Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Washington, Box: 359960 325 9th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, and Raminder Nirula, MD MPH, Surgery, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9128.

Introduction: Left turning vehicles are involved in approximately 20% of motor vehicle collisions each year. Most of these collisions occur at uncontrolled intersections or mid-block areas that do not provide a protective left turn movement. Objectives: To evaluate the factors that might influence an occupant's injury severity during a left turn movement. Methods: We used the National Automotive Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System (1995-2005) to compare crash characteristics and injury outcome between intersection and midblock left turn collisions. Results: Total of 7,396 collisions were evaluated. Traffic control devices were present in 82% of intersection and 10% of mid-block collisions. After adjustment for potential confounding variables, drivers' injury severity was not significantly associated with the crash location. However, front seat passengers in mid-block collisions had 72% higher odds of experiencing an injury with injury severity score ≥ 9 (odds ratio: 1.72, 95% confidence interval: 1.09-2.69). Our analysis did not show that drivers or passengers in larger vehicles, e.g. sport utility vehicles and mini-vans, were at lower risk of more severe injuries in comparison to the car occupants in sedans. Conclusion: Road management strategies that restrict mid-block left turn movements on roadways with high speed limits might alleviate the magnitude of the problem attributed to left turn collisions. Installation of traffic controls signals or signs that notify the opposite traffic of the possible presence of mid-block left turning vehicles might be strategies that deserve more attention.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe main types of left turn collisions and the factors that can predict the severity of left turn collisions at intersections or mid-block areas.
• Discuss the chain of events that lead to driver and front seat passenger injuries in mid-block or intersection related collisions.
• Evaluate why front seat passengers are more seriously injured than drivers.
• Discuss the concepts that should be taken into consideration for decreasing the magnitude of left turn collisions.

Keywords: Motor Vehicles, Injury Control

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.