NCJ Number
202756
Date Published
2003
Length
59 pages
Annotation
This document provides information on the problem of emergency service vehicle traffic crashes in the State of Missouri.
Abstract
The primary source of data was the Missouri Statewide Traffic Accident Records System (STARS). In 2002, there were 1,573 traffic crashes involving 1,620 emergency service vehicles. Two persons were killed and 471 persons were injured in these traffic crashes. Of the 1,620 emergency service vehicles involved, 367 (22.7 percent) were on an emergency run at the time of the crash. The seriousness of these traffic crashes is compounded by the fact that the incident no doubt delayed or prevented the unit from responding to the original emergency situation. Police vehicles account for the majority of emergency service vehicles involved in traffic crashes. Of the emergency vehicles involved in traffic crashes, 1,249 (77.1 percent) were law enforcement vehicles. But there are a significantly greater number of police vehicles in operation compared to ambulances and fire vehicles. Many law enforcement units patrol roadways throughout their shift, while ambulances and fire vehicles are normally stationed at fixed locations until called to respond to a situation. Of the emergency vehicles involved in traffic crashes, 182 (11.2 percent) were fire vehicles. As with ambulances, fire vehicles made up a higher proportion of those vehicles involved in traffic crashes while on emergency runs. Of the 367 vehicles making an emergency run when involved in a traffic crash, 57 (15.5 percent) were vehicles of this type. Of the emergency service vehicles involved in traffic crashes, 170 (10.5 percent) were ambulances. Ambulances made up a higher proportion of emergency service vehicles involved in traffic crashes while making emergency runs. Of the 367 emergency service vehicles involved in traffic crashes while on emergency runs, 39 (10.6 percent) were ambulances. 14 tables, 14 figures