Analysis of the proximity of fatal motor vehicle crash locations to the availability of helicopter emergency medical service response.

Emergency medical service (EMS) response combined with the increasing availability and usage of advanced automatic collision notification (AACN) systems in motor vehicles are important components in the effort to reduce fatalities and serious injuries suffered in motor vehicle crashes. This research note examines fatal motor vehicle crash locations in relation to the coverage area of helicopter-based EMS and is a first step towards a better understanding of the contributions of EMS and AACN to reducing the injury severity outcome of motor vehicle crashes. This analysis could not determine the type of EMS response (if at all), only whether a crash occurred where helicopter-based EMS was available. Key results of this analysis show: