NCJ Number
208221
Date Published
2004
Length
59 pages
Annotation
Based on data obtained from Missouri's Statewide Traffic Accident Records System, this report indicates the number of emergency service (ES) vehicle crashes (police, fire, and ambulance vehicles) in the State in 2003.
Abstract
In 2003, there were 1,591 traffic crashes that involved 1,628 ES vehicles. Six persons were killed, and 473 persons were injured in these traffic crashes. A total of 375 vehicles (23 percent) were on an emergency run at the time of the crash. Police vehicles accounted for the majority (78 percent) of ES vehicle crashes. This was expected, since there were a significantly greater number of police vehicles in operation compared to ambulances and fire vehicles. In addition, many police patrol units are on the roadways throughout their shift, while ambulances and fire vehicles are usually stationed at fixed locations until dispatched on a call. A total of 181 (11.1 percent) of the ES vehicle crashes were fire vehicles. The number of fire vehicles in the State is estimated to be larger than the number of ambulance vehicles, but much less than the number of police vehicles. Of the 375 vehicles on an emergency run at the time of a crash, 15.2 percent were fire vehicles. Ambulances were involved in 166 (10.2 percent) of the ES vehicle crashes. Of the ES vehicles involved in crashes while on emergency runs, 13.3 percent were ambulances. Extensive tables and figures