Rising Gas Prices and the Affect on Traffic Collisions in San Diego County

Introduction:

In California, the price of regular gasoline peaked at $4.58 per gallon during 2008, a 36% increase from the previous year. Motorists changed their driving habits to reduce fuel consumption. Many San Diegans turned to mass transit or other modes of travel, including carpooling. This study addressed how rising gas prices affect motor vehicle crashes and injury rates.

Method:

Using 2008 crash data, correlations of crash types and victim/driver demographics by weekly gas prices were calculated to examine the relationship between rising costs and crash rates, age groups and gender.

Results:

There were significant correlations between gas prices and motorcycle collisions (r=0.60, p<0.001), and pedalcycle collisions (r=0.63, p<0.001). Similar trends were seen in motorcycle and pedalcycle victims (r=0.58, p<0.001 and r=0.58, p<0.001, respectively). There were significant negative correlations between gas prices and motor vehicle occupant collisions (r=-0.60, p<0.001) and of victims (r=-0.42, p<0.05). Collision victims 45-64 years old were negatively correlated with gas prices (r=-0.32, p<0.05). Gas prices were not associated with overall number of traffic collisions, pedestrian collisions or victims. There was no relationship between prices and gender.

Conclusion:

Results indicate a significant effect of rising gas prices in 2008 on the characteristics of traffic collisions in San Diego. Results indicate that people drove less and rode motorcycles and pedalcycles more. Results showed a decrease in motor vehicle collisions, and an increase motorcycle and pedalcycle collisions. This is important as motor vehicle collisions involving motorcycles and pedalcycles typically result in more severe injuries and deaths.