What Types of Vehicles are the Striking Vehicles in Struck-by Incidents?

June 13, 2023

Analysis of struck-by incident data helps uncover trends that can be used to inform procedures, training, technology, and more. One interesting data point involves the type of vehicle involved in struck-by incidents. As might be expected, the majority of incidents involve a civilian vehicle being the striking vehicle. However, 74% of the incidents reported involve either a passenger car or SUV, not a utility or service truck, not a tractor trailer, not a motorcycle – just an everyday passenger car or SUV.

This trend leads to more questions. Does this mean that those driving other types of vehicles are more cognizant of roadway conditions? Are the drivers of other types of vehicles less distracted? While the answers are unknown at this time, the reality is that educational and safety awareness messaging must focus on the typical passenger car or SUV driver.

In conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI) administers a nationwide database to collect detailed information about incidents on the roadway where emergency responders or their equipment were struck by a vehicle while operating at a scene. Available at ReportStruckBy.com, the database accepts reports from all roadway responders, including fire, law enforcement, EMS, fire police and special traffic units, safety service and freeway service patrols, departments of transportation, public works, and towing and recovery. The goal is to improve the voluntary reporting, tracking, and analysis of struck-by incident data to prevent future incidents.

Any roadway responder can report a struck-by incident to ReportStruckBy.com, whether or not the incident resulted in death, injury, or property damage. Reporting is anonymous with an option to provide contact information for follow-up. The reporting form takes approximately 3-4 minutes to complete. All fields are optional, so you can report as much as you know and skip what you don’t. The site is mobile device responsive for easy reporting from the field or the station. All reports are welcome – ERSI wants as much data as possible on the continuing problem of secondary crashes and struck-by incidents at emergency scenes on the roadway.