A Human Error Analysis of U.S. Fatal Highway Crashes, 1990-2004

Rebecca Iden; Scott A. Shappell

doi:10.1177/154193120605001761

A Human Error Analysis of U.S. Fatal Highway Crashes, 1990-2004

Rebecca Iden, Scott A. Shappell

Clemson University

Research output: Contribution to conference › Presentation

Abstract

For decades, motor vehicle crashes have consistently been one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. Historically, few attempts to address this problem have focused on human error. Even fewer have incorporated an analysis of human error when assessing possible preventative measures. The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) is an established framework for investigating and analyzing human error associated with accidents in other transportation modes such as aviation and rail. This study seeks to extend the application of HFACS to driver error in fatal motor vehicle crashes. Preliminary HFACS results suggest skill-based errors and violations are prevalent in fatal motor vehicle crashes. Relationships between driver error, lighting conditions, and States were also observed. Further investigations will be aimed at identifying the fundamental areas of human error relative to real world driving to identify data-driven interventions.

Original language	American English
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/154193120605001761
State	Published - Oct 2006
Externally published	Yes
Event	50th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society - San Francisco, CA Duration: Oct 1 2006 → …

Conference

Conference	50th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
Period	10/1/06 → …

Keywords

highway safety
motor vehicle crashes
human error
Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS)
fatal automobile collisions
driver error

Disciplines

Other Psychology

Access to Document

10.1177/154193120605001761License: Unspecified

Cite this

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title = "A Human Error Analysis of U.S. Fatal Highway Crashes, 1990-2004",

abstract = " For decades, motor vehicle crashes have consistently been one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. Historically, few attempts to address this problem have focused on human error. Even fewer have incorporated an analysis of human error when assessing possible preventative measures. The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) is an established framework for investigating and analyzing human error associated with accidents in other transportation modes such as aviation and rail. This study seeks to extend the application of HFACS to driver error in fatal motor vehicle crashes. Preliminary HFACS results suggest skill-based errors and violations are prevalent in fatal motor vehicle crashes. Relationships between driver error, lighting conditions, and States were also observed. Further investigations will be aimed at identifying the fundamental areas of human error relative to real world driving to identify data-driven interventions.",

keywords = "highway safety, motor vehicle crashes, human error, Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS), fatal automobile collisions, driver error",

author = "Rebecca Iden and Shappell, {Scott A.}",

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doi = "10.1177/154193120605001761",

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note = "50th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society ; Conference date: 01-10-2006",

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AB - For decades, motor vehicle crashes have consistently been one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. Historically, few attempts to address this problem have focused on human error. Even fewer have incorporated an analysis of human error when assessing possible preventative measures. The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) is an established framework for investigating and analyzing human error associated with accidents in other transportation modes such as aviation and rail. This study seeks to extend the application of HFACS to driver error in fatal motor vehicle crashes. Preliminary HFACS results suggest skill-based errors and violations are prevalent in fatal motor vehicle crashes. Relationships between driver error, lighting conditions, and States were also observed. Further investigations will be aimed at identifying the fundamental areas of human error relative to real world driving to identify data-driven interventions.

KW - highway safety

KW - motor vehicle crashes

KW - human error

KW - Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS)

KW - fatal automobile collisions

KW - driver error

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DO - 10.1177/154193120605001761

M3 - Presentation

T2 - 50th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society

Y2 - 1 October 2006

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