NCJ Number
241716
Date Published
2012
Length
64 pages
Annotation
This report provides information on the problem of emergency service vehicle traffic crashes in the State of Missouri.
Abstract
This report provides the Missouri Department of Transportation, Traffic and Highway Safety Division, and other State and local authorities with information on the problem of emergency service vehicle traffic crashes in the State of Missouri. Results show that in 2011, 1,455 emergency service vehicles were involved in crashes in the State. Five persons were killed and 227 persons were injured in these traffic crashes. Of the 1,455 emergency service vehicles involved, 326 (22.4 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 Missouri traffic crashes. Of the 1,455 emergency vehicles involved in 2011 traffic crashes, 1,104 (75.9 percent) were law enforcement vehicles. Of the 1,455 emergency vehicles involved in 2011 Missouri traffic crashes, 157 (10.8 percent) were fire vehicles. Fire vehicles made up a higher proportion of those vehicles involved in traffic crashes while on emergency runs. Of the 326 vehicles making an emergency run when involved in a traffic crash in 2011, 68 (20.9 percent) were vehicles of this type. Of the 1,455 emergency service vehicles involved in 2011 Missouri traffic crashes, 151 (10.4 percent) were ambulances. Ambulances also made up a higher proportion of emergency service vehicles involved in traffic crashes while making emergency runs. Of the 326 emergency service vehicles involved in 2011 Missouri traffic crashes while on emergency runs, 50 (15.3 percent) were ambulances. Tables and figures