Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

A Test Bed to Examine Helmet Fit and Retention and Biomechanical Measures of Head and Neck Injury in Simulated Impact
Published on: September 21, 2017
Regional economic conditions and crash fatality rates--a cross-county analysis
1Department of Economics, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio 45435, USA. thomas.traynor@wright.edu
Introduction:
Most studies that evaluate the relationship between economic conditions and traffic fatalities focus on the time-series relationship between the two factors. This analysis considers the cross-sectional perspective by estimating the cross-county correlation between per capita income and fatalities per vehicle mile traveled (VMT) in Ohio.
Method:
The empirical model employed in this analysis allows for interaction effects between per capita income and highway usage, in the determination of fatality rates.
Results:
The resultant least squares estimates indicate that a significant interaction effect exists between per capita income and the percentage of highway VMT, indicating a nonlinear correlation between per capita income and fatality rates. This correlation rises as the proportion of VMT on highways rises, such that there is an inverse relationship with fatality rates when the highway share of county VMT is low and a direct relationship with fatality rates when the highway share of county VMT is high. Additionally, population density, the presence of interstate highways in rural counties, the prior prevalence of severe alcohol abuse, and the proportion of teen drivers all proved to be significant correlates with county fatality rates.
Conclusions:
These observations suggest factors that state and federal policy makers should consider when allocating resources that impact (whether directly or indirectly) traffic fatalities.
Related Concept Videos
Hypothesis Test for Test of Independence
H0: The two variables (factors)...
Determination of Expected Frequency
Introduction to Test of Independence
The test statistic for a test of independence is similar to that of a goodness-of-fit test:
Relative Risk
Critical Region, Critical Values and Significance Level
In hypothesis testing, a sample statistic is converted to a test statistic using z, t, or chi-square distribution. A critical region is an area under the curve in probability distributions demarcated by the critical value. When the test statistic falls in this region, it suggests that the null hypothesis must be rejected. As this region contains all those values of the test...
Hazard Rate