Investigation of Gender Differences in Large-Truck Crash Injury Severity in Missouri

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Investigation of Gender Differences in Large-Truck Crash Injury Severity in Missouri

J. M. B. Bracy / C. Mondy

Large-truck transport is vital for freight shipping in the United States, but it is also a dangerous mode of transportation. From 2002 to 2012, 91,145 crashes involving large trucks occurred in Missouri, resulting in 1,156 fatalities and 18,457 injuries. Many factors contribute to large-truck crash severity, and the authors theorize that these factors and their effect on severity vary as a function of gender. This study uses Missouri crash data from 2002 to 2012 to analyze circumstances that increase the probability of severity, given that a large-truck crash occurs. The authors developed chi-squared automatic interaction detection (CHAID) decision tree models for each gender to better understand predictor importance and to uncover interactions among contributing factors. Results suggest that the major predictors of severity for female Missouri drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) are following too closely, physical impairment, and improper passing, while results suggest that the major predictors of severity for male Missouri CDL drivers are driving too fast for conditions, failing to yield, and physical impairment. Additionally, results do not suggest that environmental factors are significant predictors of severity for female CDL drivers, and road and lighting conditions play a tertiary role in the prediction of severity for male CDL drivers. As a result, this study recommends that truck driver training programs focus educational efforts on gender-specific behaviors that affect crash injury severity in order to enhance road safety measures.