Significance of tractor-trailer impacts to the rear of light vehicles

Figures & data

Table 1. Type of struck vehicles in a rear impact using 1990–2015 NASS-CDS.

	Struck in rear		Frequency		Risk
Struck vehicle type	Involved	VAIS 3+	Involved (%)	VAIS 3+ (%)	VAIS 3+ (%)	Relative risk
Car, 2-door	1,467,140	9,087	16.5	30.8	0.619	1.87
Car, 4-door	4,098,950	14,415	46.0	48.8	0.352	1.06
Car, other	95,654	91	1.1	0.3	0.095	0.29
Minivan	488,982	1,458	5.5	4.9	0.298	0.90
Pickup	1,433,619	1,190	16.1	4.0	0.083	0.25
Utility (SUV)	1,333,528	3,304	15.0	11.2	0.248	0.75
Total	8,917,873	29,545	100	100	0.331	1.00

Table 2. Striking vehicle or object involved in a rear impact of a struck vehicle using 1990–2015 NASS-CDS.

	Struck in rear		Frequency		Risk
Striking vehicle or object	Involved	VAIS 3+	Involved (%)	VAIS 3+ (%)	VAIS 3+ (%)	Relative risk
Car, 2-door	1,435,114	1,637	16.1	5.5	0.114	0.34
Car, 4-door	3,474,518	9,006	39.0	30.5	0.259	0.78
Other passenger car	412,788	755	4.6	2.6	0.183	0.55
Other car	4,054	12	0.0	0.0	0.289	0.87
Utility	1,212,137	3,427	13.6	11.6	0.283	0.85
Minivans	357,225	400	4.0	1.4	0.112	0.34
Vans	131,021	1,316	1.5	4.5	1.004	3.03
Pickup	1,286,617	4,219	14.4	14.3	0.328	0.99
Light truck	29,583	0	0.3	—	—	—
Tractor-trailer/large truck/bus	176,078	4,772	2.0	16.2	2.710	8.18
Other	20,647	157	0.2	0.5	0.761	2.30
Unknown	99,250	0	1.1	—	—	—
Vehicle not in transport	22,891	22	0.3	0.1	0.096	0.29
Fixed object	255,949	3,822	2.9	12.9	1.493	4.51
Total	8,917,872	29,545	100	100	0.331	1.00

Table 3. Object impacting the rear of a struck vehicle using 1990–2015 NASS-CDS.

Fixed object	Struck in rear		Frequency		Risk
Rear impact	Involved	VAIS 3+	Involved (%)	VAIS 3+ (%)	VAIS 3+ (%)	Relative risk
Tree/bush	58,206	2,080	22.7	54.4	3.574	10.79
Embankment/ditch/ground	49,011	121	19.1	3.2	0.247	0.75
Guardrail	8,814	0	3.4	0.0	—	—
Pole	35,763	1,037	14.0	27.1	2.900	8.75
Barrier/wall	93,298	520	36.5	13.6	0.557	1.68
Other/unknown	10,857	64	4.2	1.7	0.590	1.78
Subtotal	255,949	3,822	100	100	1.493	4.51
Total	8,917,872	29,545	100.0	100.0	0.331	1.00

Figure 1. Tractor-trailer impacts with crush of the rear occupant compartment in the struck vehicle.

Figure 2. Tractor-trailer impacts without significant crush of the occupant compartment in the struck vehicle.