National Crash Facts
Crash Types
The most comprehensive and detailed list of crash
scenarios, nationwide, is compiled by bicyclinginfo.org.
A total of 17 crash types are described in two broad
groups and six categories of crashes. Three-quarters
of crashes are of just two types.
Motorist and bicyclist
are on initial crossing, or perpendicular, paths
- Motorist fails to yield right-of-way at a
junction—21.7 percent of crashes
- Bicyclist fails to yield right-of-way at
an intersection—16.8 percent
- Bicyclist fails to yield at a midblock location—11.7
percent
Motorist and bicyclist are on parallel paths,
in the same or opposite directions<
- Motorist turns or merges into path of oncoming
bicyclist—12.1 percent
- Motorist overtakes bicyclist from behind—8.6
percent
- Bicyclist turns or merges into path of motorist—7.3
percent
The National
Highway Transportation Safety Administration provides an alternative crash typology that is particularly
useful because each crash type is directly linked
to a corrective action that is available to the bicyclist.
NHTSA Crash Types
| Crash Type |
Description |
Corrective Action |
| Bicyclist comes
from alley or driveway |
“Midblock
rideout,” is the most frequent crash
type for children. The bicyclist’s sudden
entry leaves the motorist too little time to
avoid the collision. |
Stop and
look: Look left-right-left before entering a roadway. |
| Riding the wrong
way |
Motorists do not
expect traffic to be approaching from the wrong
direction. |
Go with
the flow: Always ride on the right side of the road,
with traffic. |
| Motorist overtaking
bicyclist |
Motorist fails
to see and react to the bicyclist, most frequently
at night and on narrow rural roads. Driver
inattention and impaired driving is also frequently
a cause. |
Avoid riding
at night. If you must ride at night, use reflectors,
lights and special clothing. |
| Bicyclist makes
left turn or suddenly swerves |
The bicyclist swerves
to the left without checking traffic or signaling.
The motorist does not have time to avoid the
collision. |
Be predicable: Always ride in a straight line. When changing
lane position, look behind, yield and signal. |
| Failure to obey
stop signs |
“Stop sign
rideout” occurs when the bicyclist enters
an intersection and collides with a motor vehicle
approaching from an uncontrolled lane. The
motorist does not have time to avoid the collision. |
Obey all traffic
signals and signs. |
Source: National Highway Transportation Safety Administration
The North Carolina Department of Transportation
and the University of North Carolina provide yet
another breakdown of crash types which is especially
useful because it identifies crash types that are
most likely to be severe—that is, to result
in fatalities. Click
here to view complete North
Carolina bicycle crash data.
| Top Crash Types by Number of Fatalities,
North Carolina 1997-2002 |
Bicyclist turns left, motorist traveling
in same direction
Motorist fails to detect and overtakes bicyclist
Motorist overtakes bicyclist, cause unknown
Head-on crash
Bicyclist turns right, motorist traveling in same direction |
24
24
18
13
11 |
|
Source: North Carolina Department of Transportation
and University of North Carolina
|
