A study of injury-producing crashes on median divided highways in southwestern Ontario

The University of Western Ontario Accident Research Team investigates every fatal crash, and approximately one out of every 50 personal-injury crash, within a defined geographic area of three counties. Over a seven-year period, the team investigated 107 collisions (62 fatal and 45 personal injury) that occurred on median-divided highways. These crashes were representative of over 2,300 collisions on the highways involving 81 fatalities and injury to over 3,200 vehicle occupants. Vehicle loss of directional control prior to any impact occurred in 55 of the 62 fatal cases and in 36 of the 45 personal-injury cases. In 36 fatal cases and 17 personal-injury cases loss of control was initiated after a vehicle travelled from the roadway onto the gravel shoulder. Rollover collisions were the most frequent collision type investigated and comprised 25 fatal and 25 personal-injury cases. Unrestrained occupants made up 24 of the 29 rollover fatalities with 96% of these unrestrained occupants being ejected from the vehicle. Collision with an oncoming vehicle after median-crossover occurred in 26 fatal cases. These crashes were usually frontal or side impacts characterized by extensive vehicle damage and massive intrusion into the occupant compartment. Severe head injury (AIS 5 or greater) predominated as the cause of death in all collision types.