Dispelling the Haze: Crashes and Crime A Presentation of Facts and Informational Mathematics by the Ohio State Highway Patrol

Presentation Prepared by: Tpr. John C. Thorne III M.S.

Goals of Instruction To dispel myths about the nature and dangers of crime To dispel myths about the nature and dangers of crime To educate young adults on the real and potential consequences of unsafe driving To educate young adults on the real and potential consequences of unsafe driving To change unsafe driving habits through education of physical laws of vehicle behavior. To change unsafe driving habits through education of physical laws of vehicle behavior.

Comparing Crime and Crashes: What Should I Really be Afraid of?

2005 Uniform Crime Reports: FBI Nationwide Crime Statistics 16,692 Murders 16,692 Murders 93,934 Rapes 93,934 Rapes 417,122 Robberies 417,122 Robberies 862,947 Aggravated Assaults 862,947 Aggravated Assaults

2005 UCR Crime Statistics: Ohio 585 Murders 585 Murders 4,557 Rapes 4,557 Rapes 18,696 Robberies 18,696 Robberies 16,435 Aggravated Assaults 16,435 Aggravated Assaults

2005 UCR Crime Statistics: Clermont County Sheriff 0 Murders 0 Murders 45 Rapes 45 Rapes 12 Robberies 12 Robberies 15 Aggravated Assaults 15 Aggravated Assaults

2004 UCR Crime Statistics: Clermont Agencies Union Twp. Union Twp. 0 Murders 0 Murders 2 Rapes 2 Rapes 22 Robberies 22 Robberies 5 Aggravated Assaults 5 Aggravated Assaults Pierce Twp. 0 Murders 7 Rapes 4 Robberies 5 Aggravated Assaults

2005 UCR Crime Statistics: Clermont Agencies Contd. Miami Twp. Miami Twp. 0 Murders 0 Murders 9 Rapes 9 Rapes 8 Robberies 8 Robberies 17 Aggravated Assaults 17 Aggravated Assaults Goshen Twp. 0 Murders 1 Rape 6 Robberies 25 Aggravated Assaults

2005 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Crash Data 6,159,000 estimated total traffic crashes 6,159,000 estimated total traffic crashes 2,699,000 estimated total number of persons injured from traffic crashes 2,699,000 estimated total number of persons injured from traffic crashes 43,443 persons killed from traffic crashes 43,443 persons killed from traffic crashes

2005 Traffic Crash Data: State of Ohio 358,127 total traffic crashes 358,127 total traffic crashes 131,245 persons injured as the result of a traffic crash 131,245 persons injured as the result of a traffic crash 1,326 persons killed as the result of a traffic crash 1,326 persons killed as the result of a traffic crash

YOU DO THE MATH 16,692 Murders 43,443 Traffic Deaths 585 Murders 1,326 Traffic Deaths Nationwide Ohio

2005 Data: 2005 Data: The Cincinnati Metropolitan Reporting area to the UCR reported 115 murders in 2005 The Cincinnati Metropolitan Reporting area to the UCR reported 115 murders in 2005 This area includes 3 counties in Indiana., 7 counties in Kentucky., and 5 counties in Ohio in addition to the cities of Middletown and Cincinnati This area includes 3 counties in Indiana., 7 counties in Kentucky., and 5 counties in Ohio in addition to the cities of Middletown and Cincinnati The population of this area is over 2 million people The population of this area is over 2 million people

2005 Traffic Deaths in Clermont County 28 people died on the roadways in Clermont County 28 people died on the roadways in Clermont County 7 were ages were ages died on SR 125 between Amelia and Bethel 4 died on SR 125 between Amelia and Bethel 16 people died because they were not wearing a seat belt 16 people died because they were not wearing a seat belt

Where is your Greater Danger?

WHY ARE YOU COMING TO MY SCHOOL TO TALK ABOUT THIS?

First... the basics

The Basics… Before we start to talk about speed, crashes, and seat belts, we need to understand basic physics principles. Before we start to talk about speed, crashes, and seat belts, we need to understand basic physics principles. Newton’s laws of motion Newton’s laws of motion

Newton’s First Law of Motion A body at rest tends to remain at rest, while a body in motion tends to remain in motion in a straight line, unless acted upon by an unbalanced external force A body at rest tends to remain at rest, while a body in motion tends to remain in motion in a straight line, unless acted upon by an unbalanced external force Simply put – an object in motion stays in motion until something causes it to stop Simply put – an object in motion stays in motion until something causes it to stop

Friction Friction is a force Friction is a force There are two types of friction There are two types of friction Static Friction Static Friction Dynamic Friction Dynamic Friction

Friction Static friction Static friction The weight of an object pressing down on the surface of the earth creates this The weight of an object pressing down on the surface of the earth creates this To initially get the object moving, this force must be overcome To initially get the object moving, this force must be overcome The initial static friction to get an object moving will always be greater than the dynamic friction generated between the object and the surface it is moving over The initial static friction to get an object moving will always be greater than the dynamic friction generated between the object and the surface it is moving over

Friction Dynamic friction Dynamic friction The friction encountered by an object moving over a surface The friction encountered by an object moving over a surface Varies based upon both the characteristics of the object and the characteristics of the surface Varies based upon both the characteristics of the object and the characteristics of the surface Expressed in “g” forces or percentages of the force of gravity Expressed in “g” forces or percentages of the force of gravity If the force required to move a 40lb. weight across a surface is 30 lbs., the surface can be assumed to have a dynamic friction, or “drag factor” of.75 “g’s” If the force required to move a 40lb. weight across a surface is 30 lbs., the surface can be assumed to have a dynamic friction, or “drag factor” of.75 “g’s” The higher the drag factor, the quicker an object will slow to a stop on that surface The higher the drag factor, the quicker an object will slow to a stop on that surface

Newton’s First Law of Motion Friction is a natural and omnipresent force that is acting on moving objects Friction is a natural and omnipresent force that is acting on moving objects Without friction, there would be no way to stop objects moving about Without friction, there would be no way to stop objects moving about Objects on earth do not keep moving once they are accelerated due to the force of friction Objects on earth do not keep moving once they are accelerated due to the force of friction

What do these laws have to do with me driving my car? How does my vehicle behave…normally?

Vehicle Behavior Your car, you, and everything inside of your car are bound by Newton’s Laws of Motion Your car, you, and everything inside of your car are bound by Newton’s Laws of Motion It is because you and your car are bound by these laws that traffic crashes and fatalities are a reality It is because you and your car are bound by these laws that traffic crashes and fatalities are a reality By understanding these laws and why crashes happen, you may be able to avoid being involved in a crash By understanding these laws and why crashes happen, you may be able to avoid being involved in a crash

Pre-Crash Factors Speed Speed Following distance Following distance Road and weather conditions Road and weather conditions Attention span Attention span

Speed One of the primary causes for motor vehicle crashes and fatalities One of the primary causes for motor vehicle crashes and fatalities Perhaps the most widely known function of a police officer is to enforce speed laws Perhaps the most widely known function of a police officer is to enforce speed laws Why speed limits are in place and why they are enforced is based partially on Newton’s Laws of Motion Why speed limits are in place and why they are enforced is based partially on Newton’s Laws of Motion

Speed Most people measure the speed of their vehicle in Miles per Hour, but have no real concept of how fast they are truly traveling Most people measure the speed of their vehicle in Miles per Hour, but have no real concept of how fast they are truly traveling A mile is a lengthy distance that we do not readily view on a daily basis A mile is a lengthy distance that we do not readily view on a daily basis A better way to gauge the speed you are traveling on the road is by converting miles per hour into feet per second A better way to gauge the speed you are traveling on the road is by converting miles per hour into feet per second

Speed To convert miles per hour into feet per second, multiply the speed in MPH by To convert miles per hour into feet per second, multiply the speed in MPH by The result will indicate your speed in feet per second (FPS) The result will indicate your speed in feet per second (FPS)

Common Speeds: MPH - FPS Miles per Hour Feet per Second

Speed When examining speed in feet/second the actual distance you are traveling becomes more tangible as well as the time it takes you to cover that distance When examining speed in feet/second the actual distance you are traveling becomes more tangible as well as the time it takes you to cover that distance This is especially useful when examining following distance and assured clear distance crashes This is especially useful when examining following distance and assured clear distance crashes

Speed A demonstration In the time it took this to appear, if you were traveling at 35 mph you would have traveled roughly the distance of a football field At 85 mph, you would have completed a 200 meter sprint with about 1 second to spare

Following too Close “Tailgating” or trying to “push” someone to go faster by riding close to the bumper of another car “Tailgating” or trying to “push” someone to go faster by riding close to the bumper of another car Combined with excessive or unsafe speed is the major causative factor for vehicle crashes Combined with excessive or unsafe speed is the major causative factor for vehicle crashes You can and will be written tickets for following too close!!! You can and will be written tickets for following too close!!!

Following too Close It is common to see vehicles following each other at a distance of 1-2 vehicle lengths (approx feet) while traveling at 65 mph It is common to see vehicles following each other at a distance of 1-2 vehicle lengths (approx feet) while traveling at 65 mph Could this be a major problem? Could this be a major problem?

Following too Close Human physiological studies indicate an average perception reaction time of a human being at 1.5 seconds Human physiological studies indicate an average perception reaction time of a human being at 1.5 seconds This reaction time is the amount of time that it takes the human brain to recognize a stimulus and respond to it This reaction time is the amount of time that it takes the human brain to recognize a stimulus and respond to it

Driver Attention How often are you really paying full attention to the road? How often are you really paying full attention to the road? Are you – Are you – Talking on a phone? Talking on a phone? Playing the radio? Playing the radio? Talking to a passenger? Talking to a passenger? Thinking about American Idol? Thinking about American Idol?

Road and Weather Conditions Speed limits are designed for maximum speed on a road for ideal conditions Speed limits are designed for maximum speed on a road for ideal conditions Rain, snow, and ice affect the dynamic frictional value of a roadway (drag factor) Rain, snow, and ice affect the dynamic frictional value of a roadway (drag factor) Reason for more crashes during these periods is driving behavior is not adjusted Reason for more crashes during these periods is driving behavior is not adjusted

Let’s start to put this all together!!

Putting it Together Because your vehicle adheres to the laws of physics, we can determine how it will behave by using mathematics Because your vehicle adheres to the laws of physics, we can determine how it will behave by using mathematics Primarily we can determine Primarily we can determine Time needed to stop Time needed to stop Distance needed to stop Distance needed to stop The amount of distance covered over a given time The amount of distance covered over a given time

Putting it Together Equation for determining slide to stop: Equation for determining slide to stop: Distance to stop = Speed (squared)/30 x drag factor of roadway Distance to stop = Speed (squared)/30 x drag factor of roadway D = (s)(s)÷ 30f D = (s)(s)÷ 30f

Putting it Together Increases in speed increase distance needed to stop Increases in speed increase distance needed to stop Decreases in drag factor of roadway also increase distance to stop (rain, ice, gravel, etc.) Decreases in drag factor of roadway also increase distance to stop (rain, ice, gravel, etc.) What happens when you figure in response time? What happens when you figure in response time?

Putting it Together Convert your speed to ft/sec. (MPH x 1.466) Convert your speed to ft/sec. (MPH x 1.466) Multiply ft/sec. by average response – reaction time (1.5 seconds) Multiply ft/sec. by average response – reaction time (1.5 seconds) Add product to already determined slide to stop distance Add product to already determined slide to stop distance

Putting it Together Does 5 mph over the limit really matter? Does 5 mph over the limit really matter? Do the math! Do the math! 55 mph or 60 mph on a dry road 55 mph or 60 mph on a dry road 55 mph slide to stop = 144 ft. 55 mph slide to stop = 144 ft. 60 mph slide to stop = 171 ft. 60 mph slide to stop = 171 ft. Difference = 27 ft. to slide to stop Difference = 27 ft. to slide to stop

Putting it Together When you enter your car and begin to travel, you are bound by Newton’s laws of motion When you enter your car and begin to travel, you are bound by Newton’s laws of motion When your speedometer reads 65 mph (95.29 ft/sec), the vehicle and everything inside of it is traveling at that speed When your speedometer reads 65 mph (95.29 ft/sec), the vehicle and everything inside of it is traveling at that speed It does not seem that way because your speed is uniform and relative to your immediate surroundings It does not seem that way because your speed is uniform and relative to your immediate surroundings

Putting it Together Because of Newton’s First Law of Motion, there are three impacts in every crash! Vehicle vs. vehicle Human vs. inside of vehicle Human organs vs. human body It is usually the third impact that is fatal!

Seat Belts Why should I wear it?

Seat Belts To best understand why to wear a seat belt, examine Newton’s First Law of Motion. To best understand why to wear a seat belt, examine Newton’s First Law of Motion. Your vehicle and everything in it are traveling at a given speed Your vehicle and everything in it are traveling at a given speed Everything inside of your vehicle includes YOU! Everything inside of your vehicle includes YOU!

Seat Belts Have you ever had a CD or books sitting on your front seat and had to stop suddenly? Have you ever had a CD or books sitting on your front seat and had to stop suddenly? What happens to the books or CD? What happens to the books or CD? The static friction of their weight and the seat is not enough to keep the objects in place The static friction of their weight and the seat is not enough to keep the objects in place They continue in motion until they strike the floor and stop They continue in motion until they strike the floor and stop

Seat Belts The same laws apply to you in the driver or passenger seats The same laws apply to you in the driver or passenger seats If you are not somehow “attached” to the vehicle, the static friction between you and the seat will not be enough to stop you from going forward from a sudden stop. If you are not somehow “attached” to the vehicle, the static friction between you and the seat will not be enough to stop you from going forward from a sudden stop. You are a free floating object that will continue in motion until acted on by another force You are a free floating object that will continue in motion until acted on by another force

Seat Belts What are some outside forces that can, and will, bring you to a stop? What are some outside forces that can, and will, bring you to a stop? Steering wheel? Steering wheel? Dashboard? Dashboard? Windshield? Windshield? The road? The road? Another car? Another car?

Seat Belts The seat belt is designed to lock when a sudden stop is detected The seat belt is designed to lock when a sudden stop is detected This device holds your body to the seat, essentially making you “one” with the vehicle, thus sharing its momentum loss This device holds your body to the seat, essentially making you “one” with the vehicle, thus sharing its momentum loss When the vehicle slows, you slow at the same rate When the vehicle slows, you slow at the same rate

Ending thoughts… Keep in mind, an instant change in velocity from 35 mph to 0 mph is FATAL! Keep in mind, an instant change in velocity from 35 mph to 0 mph is FATAL! Statistically you are the most at risk for a serious injury or fatality from a traffic crash Statistically you are the most at risk for a serious injury or fatality from a traffic crash

Suggestions for the Future Leave a little bit more time when you have to be someplace Leave a little bit more time when you have to be someplace If you are late…what is worse: being late or not being there at all? If you are late…what is worse: being late or not being there at all? Leave more space between you and the vehicle in front of you…RELAX! Leave more space between you and the vehicle in front of you…RELAX! Don’t get involved in roadway violence or racing. State Routes and County Roads are not the places to be racing! Don’t get involved in roadway violence or racing. State Routes and County Roads are not the places to be racing!