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5.3.1 Human Factors

As shown in Table 5.2, being female is positively correlated with severe injury. Specifically,
female occupants are more likely to experience severe injury compared to male occupants.

This finding is similar to previous findings that male occupants are less likely to suffer severe
injury than female occupants (Duncan et al., 1998; Chen & Chen, 2011; Islam & Hernandez,

2013; Sivak et al., 2010). With respect to age groups, young and older age groups are more

likely to experience severe injury. This result was expected, because of the greater difficulties
in driving and the fragility of older people (Srinivasan, 2002; Scialfa et al., 2010). On the

other hand, younger drivers are more likely to be involved in severe injury collisions due to
their inexperience and higher risk-taking propensity (Pahukula, 2015; Tay, 2005; Tay &

Rifaat, 2007).

Regarding safety restraint use, occupants who do not use their safety restraints are more

likely to experience severe injury in angle collisions involving at least one heavy vehicle.
This result is consistent with findings from previous studies (Chang & Chien, 2013; Islam,

2015; Pahukula et al., 2015). In addition, occupants who are partly or fully ejected from the
vehicle have significantly increased risk of suffering severe injury than occupants who are

not ejected. Hence, the trucking industry, government and road safety professionals should

consider education and incentive programs to encourage all truck occupants to buckle up and
not to rely on the perceived size of the truck for protection.

Being the only occupant in the vehicle or a sole driver is more associated with severe injury.

Although the presence of passengers might distract the driver, it may also alert the driver to

potential dangers on the road. In addition, the presence of passengers, especially in heavy
vehicles, might reduce driving monotony and alert the driver when he or she is fatigued.

5.3.2 Vehicle characteristics

Vehicle occupants are less likely to experience severe injury if their vehicles were

manufactured in 1980 or later. Compared to vehicles manufactured before 1980, newer
vehicles have better safety features and maintenance than older vehicles. This finding is

consistent with previous studies that found that older vehicles have significantly increased

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