Analysis of Injury Severities of Accidents Involving Low-Emission Vehicles

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the use of electric and hybrid vehicles on roads worldwide, as governments and road users seek to reduce emissions and promote sustainable transportation. However, as the number of these low-emission vehicles on the roads continues to grow, so does the concern about how safe they truly are. Although electric and hybrid vehicles have been shown to produce lower rates of accidents than vehicles with conventional fuel combustion engines, there is limited evidence as to the factors that may affect the severity of crashes involving low-emission vehicles. This research is conducted using evidence from crashes involving electric and hybrid vehicles in the United Kingdom. The study uses data from the STATS19 dataset to identify common patterns and trends underpinning the injury severity of occupants and other road users involved in crashes with electric and hybrid vehicles. Through inferential statistical tests and models, this analysis controls for factors, such as the accident location, road and driver characteristics, with a goal to identify the key factors contributing to the occurrence of accidents and quantify their impact on the severity of sustained injuries. Among others, the road speed limit, the road type, as well as weather conditions were identified to affect the likelihood of severe injury outcomes. The findings of this study can assist policymakers and local Authorities in designing and implementing appropriate mobility management systems targeted at the users of low-emission vehicles to enhance road safety and mitigate collision risk.