Age and Gender as Predictors of Injury Severity in Broadside and Angle Vehicular Collisions

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Abstract
Is age a factor in injury severity in the occurrence of broadside and angle collisions of automobiles on rural highways? The primary hypothesis is that older drivers and passengers would suffer more severe injuries than younger adults when involved in these types of collisions. Injury severity was chosen as the dependent variable, with nine independent or interaction variables tested. Independent variables were selected if they improved the model significantly, at a significance level of p < .05. Relationships were verified using Hierarchical Regression Analysis and Principal Components Regression. Findings varied, depending on the point-of-impact examined and the vehicle occupant gender. Age (linear and quadratic) proved to be a significant predictor of injury severity for all, but it was slightly greater for females than for males. Use of lap and shoulder restraints proved to reduce injury severity, but results are less certain for women. Air bags deployed were significant predictors when the vehicle was struck in the rear third, but only for females. One of the study’s surprises was the lack of strength of the variable of occupant position relative to the point-of-impact, except as part of interaction variables with age—both linear and quadratic. Position refers to the location of the occupant relative to the point-of-impact, with the position furthest from impact presumed as being the safest.