Human Factor Considerations in Motor Vehicle Collisions

This chapter begins with a discussion of factors that are known to contribute to motor vehicle collisions by presenting basic descriptive and epidemiologic data characterizing motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) and the human and collision factors that influence their likelihood. A variety of scenarios where driving ability may be influenced in healthy adults are presented. These same motor vehicle and driver behavior factors have the potential to differentially influence driving ability in a neurologically impaired population and require consideration when assessing the driving privileges of patients. The driving candidate's motor and cognitive abilities are typically the focus of assessment; however, other factors such as internal and external environmental factors also require consideration. In doing so, the vehicular, environmental, and human factors contributing to MVCs are discussed and these factors are considered within the context of clinical populations. Thus, base rate information is provided regarding the multiple factors that contribute to MVCs in the general population as a precursor to understanding the assessment of driving ability in neurologically impaired populations.