The "Analysis of Ground Ambulance Crash Data From 2012 to 2018" report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlights that driver error was involved in 92.6% of fatal U.S. ambulance crashes during this period.
Common errors included improper intersection clearing, running red lights, and driver fatigue. Lights and sirens were active in 40.7% of these crashes, often inappropriately. The crashes resulted in an average of 28.4 fatalities per year, with 40.2% being ambulance occupants. Other contributing factors were speeding, unbelted occupants, and driver impairment or distraction.
“The SCI [the NHTSA’s Special Crash Investigations Unit] reports for 2012 to 2018 showed nearly all crashes (92.6%) involved ambulance operator/driver error,” said the NHTSA report.
“Improper clearing of intersections, traveling against red lights, and operator fatigue were noted as factors in the crashes. Lights and sirens were active in 40.7 percent of the crashes. The expert reviewers noted that lights and sirens were often used in situations that were not recommended according to best-practice guidelines.”
As for the human toll from these errors, “Ambulance-involved fatal crashes remained relatively rare from 2012 to 2018 with a national average of 24.7 fatal crashes per year and 28.4 fatalities per year reported in FARS [the Fatality Analysis Reporting System],” the NHTSA report said.
“Of the individuals killed, 40.2 percent were ambulance occupants (operators/drivers, front seat passengers, and clinicians or patients in the cabin), 52.3 percent were occupants of other vehicles involved in the crash, and 7.5 percent were non-occupants (e.g., pedestrians, bicyclists).”
To put it mildly, these statistics disturb NHTSA EMS Specialist David Bryson. Most of all, “We need to reduce operator error because in 92.6% of the 27 SCI crashes investigated, ambulance operator error was a significant factor,” he told EMS World. “Improper clearing of intersections was a big one.
Ambulances must come to a complete stop at red lights and make sure the way is clear before they proceed. But many of these emergency vehicles did not stop completely before traveling through the intersection.”
Other factors that contributed to these fatal crashes were speeding (14.8%), unbelted occupants (14.8%), driver fatigue (11.1%), impairment caused by alcohol or other drugs (3.7%), driver medical condition (3.7%), and driver distraction (e.g., GPS or cell phone use, 3.7%).
In conclusion, the NHTSA report underscores the critical need for improved safety measures and training for ambulance operators. Reducing driver errors, such as improper intersection clearing and driving against red lights, is essential to decrease the frequency of fatal crashes.
Additionally, addressing factors like speeding, unbelted occupants, driver fatigue, and impairment is vital. Enhanced protocols, adherence to best-practice guidelines, and a commitment to safety can help mitigate the risks and ensure the protection of both emergency responders and the public.
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