Traffic Accidents in Finland and the U.S.A.: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Associated Factors.

摘要

The report presents the results of a cross-cultural analysis of factors associated with traffic accidents in Finland and the U.S.A. The analysis was based on U.S. data from 1988 and Finnish data from 1987-89 and, whenever possible, on fatal accidents. The findings are presented in a tabular and figural form with an accompanying commentary for each table and figure. Because of the potential reporting differences in the two countries, the present findings should be interpreted with caution and should be viewed only as indicating possible trends. With this caveat in mind, the following are some of the factors with differential involvement in traffic accidents in the two countries. Proportionally more rural accidents occur in Finland than in the U.S. The fatality rate per vehicle mileage is higher in Finland, but the rate per per capita is higher in the U.S. The injury rates tend to be lower in Finland than in the U.S. There are proportionally less driver and passenger fatalities, and more pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities in Finland than in the U.S. There are proportionally less truck and motorcycle fatalities, but more passenger car and bus fatalities in Finland than in the U.S. The fatal accident rate for motorcycles is substantially higher in the U.S. than in Finland. The rate for mopeds is higher in Finland than in the U.S., and the rate for buses is somewhat higher in Finland than in the U.S. The Finnish fatal accidents peak in July, November, and December, while those in the U.S. peak in July through October. The Finnish fatal accidents peak on Fridays, while those in the U.S. peak more substantially on Saturdays.