This paper investigates the effects of mandatory seat belt laws on driver behavior and traffic fatalities. Using a unique panel data set on seat belt usage in all U.S. jurisdictions, we analyze how such laws, by influencing seat belt use, affect the incidence of traffic fatalities. Allowing for the endogeneity of seat belt usage, we find that such usage decreases overall traffic fatalities. The...

OBJECTIVES I analyzed traffic fatalities and homicides related to leaving home for routine activities, and considered connections between these fatalities and the built environment. METHODS I analyzed city, county, state, and federal data for traffic fatalities and homicides by strangers for 15 metropolitan areas, and classified deaths as occurring in the central city, in inner suburbs, or in...

OBJECTIVES To determine if certain loggers are at increased risk of death during logging operations. METHODS Statistical analysis of 780 logger fatalities for a nine year period (1992-2000). RESULTS The major findings are: (1) treefallers suffer nearly 63% of all fatalities, (2) the region where the fatality occurred and the size of the employer were not significant factors that contributed...

OBJECTIVES We sought to determine the association between urban sprawl and traffic fatalities. METHODS We created a sprawl index by applying principal components analysis to data for 448 US counties in the largest 101 metropolitan areas. Regression analysis was used to determine associations between the index and traffic fatalities. RESULTS For every 1% increase in the index (i.e., more com...

The impact of weather conditions on traffic safety is a topic that has attracted considerable interest in the literature. In this research, an integer autoregressive model (INAR) is used to estimate the effects of weather conditions on four traffic safety categories: vehicle accidents, vehicle fatalities, pedestrian accidents and pedestrian fatalities, using 21 years of daily count data for Ath...

The United States construction industry experienced 151 fatalities resulting from workers colliding with objects and equipment in 2009. These fatalities accounted for approximately 18% of the total construction fatalities and 3% of the total workplace fatalities experienced that year. Construction workers and equipment are often required to function at close proximity on construction jobsites. ...

In 2002, the construction industry had the undesirable distinction of having two of the most dangerous occupations in the United States, with fatalities among structural steel workers at 58.2 fatalities per 100,000 workers (4 highest rate) and construction laborers experiencing fatalities at the rate of 27.7 fatalities per 100,000 workers (9 highest rate). In addition to the costs associated wi...

PROBLEM CFOI and SOII data show that 2,287 U.S. workers died and 32,807 workers sustained days away from work due to electrical shock or electrical burn injuries between 1992 and 1998. METHOD The narrative, work activity, job title, source of injury, location, and industry for each fatal electrical accident were examined. A primary causal factor was identified for each fatality. RESULTS Ele...