摘要
Objective:To examine trends in traffic fatality rates in different countries and to use results to increase understanding of the major factors contributing to traffic safety.Methods:The number of traffic fataities per registered vehicle is examined versus calendar year for a number of countries.Factors hich influence traffic safety are organized into a hierarchical structure.Results:For all countries examined,the number of fatalities per registered vehicle trends downwards in time,but not by equal amounts for all countries.Human factors (driver performance and behavior)are identified as contributing larger effects than engineering factors (roadway and automotive).Conclusion:While all the factors considered are important,it is human behavior that exercises the dominant influence on traffic safety.
