ANALYSIS OF 1996 MAINE CRASHES INVOLVING VEHICLES THAT RAN OFF THE ROAD

Using linked motor vehicle crash, emergency medical service, hospital discharge, and death certificate records from the Maine CODES project, crashes and injury outcomes involving vehicles that ran off the road were evaluated. After excluding records where adverse weather or road conditions were factors, we studied 2,641 drivers who ran off a dry road and sustained 1,178 injuries. While they accounted for 1 in 20 Maine drivers involved in crashes, they represented 1 in every 6 drivers who were hospitalized or died and 37% of total inpatient hospital charges incurred. These crashes were more common in rural areas with the injury rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled higher on local roads (28.05) and collectors (11.83) than on arterials or interstates. Young drivers (age 16-24) were 6 times more likely to be involved in this type of crash than older drivers. The effects of driver behavior (speeding, alcohol, fatigue) and road characteristics are discussed.