Miss-and-run: Factors contributing to two-vehicle phantom vehicle crashes in Florida

Phantom vehicle crashes (PVCs), or miss-and-run crashes, are a topical issue in car insurance coverage because of controversies over testimony and compensation. However, no peer-reviewed literature has examined the perceptions and deliberations involved in this infrequent type of car crash. A novel taxonomy of roadway traffic crashes is proposed in this study on the basis of whether physical collisions did occur (hit or miss) and whether the perpetrators stayed at the crash scene (stay or run). In this way, this study poses the issue of PVCs within the scope of traffic safety research and aims to investigate the statistically significant factors that are likely to induce PVCs.

A binary logistic regression method was adopted to model the probability and occurrence of 2-vehicle PVCs (TV-PVCs) in Florida. Data derived from the Crash Analysis Reporting system in 2012-2014 consisted of 45,319 2-vehicle crashes, of which 1,376 (3.04%) were confirmed as positive TV-PVCs. Sixteen factors with 50 variables on crash information, roadway characteristics, and environmental conditions were included in the original consideration of the TV-PVC model.

The results indicated that a 2-vehicle crash is more likely to be a PVC when the crash happens on weekends, on roadways with no traffic control or speed control, full access control; on curving and sloping roadways; on roadways of National Highway System; and in low-density and other areas. A TV-PVC is less likely to occur on dry roads, in daylight, or at intersections or driveways. Moreover, alcohol involvement in a 2-vehicle crash is associated with hit-and-stay crashes than PVCs, and uninsured motorists are more likely to be the victims of PVCs because they tend to avoid physical collisions due to the potential self-paid loss.

Several conclusions for better understanding the occurrence of PVCs are proposed for traffic management departments and car insurers. Cautious driving behavior including concentrated attention and deliberate lane changes should be encouraged for motorists to engage in appropriate levels of driving freedom, and drunk driving should be strictly supervised to keep motorists behind the wheel conscious. Car insurance is encouraged to compensate for economic loss resulting from roadway crashes. Road monitoring systems with well-performing illumination devices are recommended to help drivers provide potent testimony for compensation claims.