Connor Y H Wu1, Benjamin F Zaitchik2, Julia M Gohlke3. 1. Department of Social Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Troy University, Troy, AL, 36082, USA. Electronic address: yuhaowu@troy.edu. 2. Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA. 3. Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A better understanding of how heat waves affect fatal traffic crashes will be useful to promote awareness of drivers' vulnerability during an extreme heat event. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: We applied a time-stratified case-crossover design to examine associations between heat waves and fatal traffic crashes during May-September of 2001-2011 in the continental United States (US). Heat waves, defined as the daily mean temperature >95% threshold for ≥2 consecutive days, were derived using gridded 12.5 km2 air temperatures from Phase 2 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-2). Dates and locations of fatal traffic crash records were acquired from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). RESULTS: Results show a significant positive association between fatal traffic crashes and heat waves with a 3.4% (95% CI: 0.9, 5.9%) increase in fatal traffic crashes on heat wave days versus non-heat wave days. The association was more positive for 56-65 years old drivers [8.2% (0.3, 16.7%)] and driving on rural roadways [6.1% (2.8, 9.6%)]. Moreover, a positive association was only present when the heat wave days were characterized by no precipitation [10.9% (7.3%, 14.6%)] and medium or high solar radiation [24.6% (19.9%, 29.5%) and 19.9% (15.6%, 24.4%), respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are relevant for developing targeted interventions for these driver groups and driving situations to efficiently reduce the negative effects of heat waves on fatal traffic crashes.
BACKGROUND: A better understanding of how heat waves affect fatal traffic crashes will be useful to promote awareness of drivers' vulnerability during an extreme heat event. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: We applied a time-stratified case-crossover design to examine associations between heat waves and fatal traffic crashes during May-September of 2001-2011 in the continental United States (US). Heat waves, defined as the daily mean temperature >95% threshold for ≥2 consecutive days, were derived using gridded 12.5 km2 air temperatures from Phase 2 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-2). Dates and locations of fatal traffic crash records were acquired from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). RESULTS: Results show a significant positive association between fatal traffic crashes and heat waves with a 3.4% (95% CI: 0.9, 5.9%) increase in fatal traffic crashes on heat wave days versus non-heat wave days. The association was more positive for 56-65 years old drivers [8.2% (0.3, 16.7%)] and driving on rural roadways [6.1% (2.8, 9.6%)]. Moreover, a positive association was only present when the heat wave days were characterized by no precipitation [10.9% (7.3%, 14.6%)] and medium or high solar radiation [24.6% (19.9%, 29.5%) and 19.9% (15.6%, 24.4%), respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are relevant for developing targeted interventions for these driver groups and driving situations to efficiently reduce the negative effects of heat waves on fatal traffic crashes.
Authors: Shia T Kent; Leslie A McClure; Benjamin F Zaitchik; Tiffany T Smith; Julia M Gohlke Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2013-11-22 Impact factor: 9.031
Authors: Daniel Carrión; Kodi B Arfer; Johnathan Rush; Michael Dorman; Sebastian T Rowland; Marianthi-Anna Kioumourtzoglou; Itai Kloog; Allan C Just Journal: Environ Res Date: 2021-06-12 Impact factor: 8.431
Authors: Elisa Stivanello; Federico Chierzi; Paolo Marzaroli; Sara Zanella; Rossella Miglio; Patrizia Biavati; Vincenza Perlangeli; Domenico Berardi; Angelo Fioritti; Paolo Pandolfi Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-12-07 Impact factor: 3.390