These results support a stream of research that has analyzed similar effects in the US
(Noland, 2001a) and with international data (Noland, 2001b). One element that has not been
fully analyzed is to examine actual changes in survival rates for severe traffic-related injuries
and determine how technology may be changing the probability of survival. This type of
information will be needed by policy makers to better understand the relationships between
health care policy and reductions in traffic-related fatalities.
Other results were that increased average vehicle ages seem to be reducing fatalities.
This is a surprising result as newer vehicles would presumably be safer. Increased alcohol
expenditure was also found to be associated with increased fatalities and injuries which is not
a surprising result. Increased motorway length per area reduced fatalities and injuries, while
increases in the percent of the population over aged 65 increased fatalities.
Acknowledgments
This research was funded by a grant from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences
Research Council. The authors take full responsibility for the content of the paper and any
errors or omissions.
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