What percentage of all highway fatalities in the United States are attributed to secondary collisions at roadway incident scenes?

The choice indicating that 18% of all highway fatalities in the United States are attributed to secondary collisions at roadway incident scenes reflects an important aspect of traffic safety and incident management. Secondary collisions occur when vehicles collide with each other as a result of an initial incident on the roadway, often due to drivers reacting to the first crash or not being aware of the hazards created by it.

Understanding the statistics surrounding secondary collisions is crucial for emergency services and highway safety advocates, as it underscores the need for effective scene management and public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing these types of accidents. This percentage highlights the significant risk that secondary collisions pose not only to involved parties but also to emergency responders and bystanders.

This knowledge can be useful when planning for safety protocols during highway incidents, informing drivers about the dangers of distracted driving or rubbernecking, and developing strategies to minimize the occurrence of additional accidents in the aftermath of a primary collision.