Comparison of mid-block and intersection-related left turn collisions.
OBJECTIVE
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
A 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 > or =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.


CONCLUSIONS
We found that in comparison to intersection-related left turn collisions, mid-block crashes are associated with more severe injuries for front seat passengers. Furthermore, size of the turning vehicle was not significantly associated with injury severity for drivers or front seat passengers.
Roudsari
Bahman
B
University of Texas School of Public Health, Dallas Regional Campus, 5323 Harry Hines, Dallas, TX 75390, USA. bahman.roudsari@utsouthwestern.edu
Kaufman
Robert
R
Nirula
Raminder
R
D015998:Abbreviated Injury Scale; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000145:classification* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving; D004779:Environment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology*