Citation

Drobot S. Transp. Res. Circular 2008; (E-C126): 597-607.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, U.S. National Academy of Sciences Transportation Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In an average year, winter weather is directly or indirectly involved in 400,000 vehicular accidents in the United States, leading to 1,300 fatalities and 118,000 injuries. To improve our understanding of decision making related to driving in hazardous winter weather conditions, this study investigated driving decisions related to a winter storm that occurred along the Colorado Front Range on December 20–21, 2006. The results suggested that most respondents relied on local television to get weather information leading up to and during the storm, highlighting the important role local broadcast meteorologists play in conveying information to the general public during major meteorological events. Additionally, a higher percentage of the respondents stayed home based on the weather forecast in comparison with previous research, probably related to the combination of the forecast severity and specific warning language related to hazardous driving conditions. Respondents who stayed home were more likely to have higher levels of self-reported anxiety related to driving in weather conditions, which reinforces the notion that decision making related to hazardous weather events is not solely related to meteorological forecasts or conditions. Finally, a majority of respondents felt that the snow began to fall approximately when it was forecast to begin, but a majority of respondents believed that more snow fell than was actually forecast. Verification of these measures is difficult, but analysis of the National Weather Service forecasts suggests that both the timing and snowfall accumulation were reasonable, especially the last few updates prior to December 20.