Characteristics of media-reported road traffic crashes involving low-level automated vehicles in China, 2015-2025.

BACKGROUND

Low-level automated vehicles (LAVs) have emerged as a new public health challenge, but the epidemiological characteristics of LAV-related crashes remain unknown.

METHODS

Based on media reports collected by the Automated Road Traffic Crash Data Platform (ARTCDP), we analysed the characteristics of LAV-related crashes in China between 1 January 2015 and 31 August 2025.

RESULTS

The ARTCDP captured 4,669 crashes involving LAVs and 324,869 involving other motor vehicles. Compared to other motor vehicles, LAVs were more frequently reported to crash during nighttime (65.3% vs. 29.1%; P < 0.001), on expressways (31.9% vs. 20.2%; P < 0.001), on straight roads without junctions (50.7% vs. 29.4%; P < 0.001), and on rainy days (57.7% vs. 53.6%; P < 0.001). They were primarily reported to crash in economically developed regions, with those in Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Shanghai accounting for 31.6% of all crashes involving LAVs. Furthermore, 20.3% of the LAVs crashes and 16.3% of other motor vehicles crashes were associated with two or more factors. Brake-related issues (48.0% vs. 26.1%; P < 0.01), hazardous road surface condition (55.6% vs. 47.9%; P < 0.01), and distracted driving behaviour (28.7% vs. 9.8%; P < 0.01) more frequently occurred in LAV-involved crashes.

CONCLUSIONS

Internet-based media reports detected distinct characteristics of road traffic crashes involving LAVs, meriting the attention of policymakers and law enforcement.