A Haddon Matrix Identifying Preventive Elements for Motor Vehicle Collisions

Haddon Matrix for a Vehicle Collision: Analysis of Factors that May Ameliorate or Exacerbate the Event Host: Agent: Environment: Driver/Occupants Causative Elements Surrounding Factors Pre-event: Defensive driver training, traffic law Kinetic energy exchange reduced Better highway design, Before the compliance, behaviors regarding by better auto design such as lowered highway speeds, collision drinking and driving and using safety anti-lock brakes, lap belts and traffic law enforcement. equipment (seat belts or helmets), shoulder straps, proper use of child general health, alertness, absence seats, crumple zones, and air bags. of distractions. Event: Effects on occupant influenced impact reduced by lower vehicle Environmental considerations The collision by health at crash time, rest state, alertness, influence of alcohol or other drugs, seat belt use, air bag deployment. speeds, better pre-impact braking (including anti-lock brakes), effectiveness of crumple zones, seat belt use, and air bag deployment. include presence of crash barriers, lane spacing, and weather. Post-event: After the collision Outcome after crash worsened or improved by knowledge of what to do: first aid, not moving, accessing EMS, physiological ability to deal with blood loss and shock based on health, condition, and medications. Effects reduced by fire—resistant fuel systems, advanced automatic collision notification (AACN) systems, video surveillance of crash area, priority dispatch of right resources, and speed of reaching the scene. EMS and trauma system responses, use made of teachable moment, effect of weather on collision victims after the crash.