ROAD ACCIDENTS

• Road accidents are multi-causal and are the result of an interplay of various factors.
These can broadly be categorized into those relating to
(i) human error,
(ii) road environment and
(iii) vehicular condition.

• These factors act in an interactive manner to cause road accidents. Any strategy for
designing the counter measures for accidents should therefore be based on a safe
systems approach which simultaneously recognizes the importance of traffic legislation
for promoting safe road user behaviour, safe road designs (lane width, shoulder
presence, number of lanes, median, vehicle design, etc) and safe vehicle design
HOW ACCIDENTS HAPPEN?
• HUMAN ERROR
• INFRASTRUCTURAL ERROR
• NATURAL ERROR
HUMAN ERROR

• DRIVER’S FAULT:
• RASH & NEGLIGENT DRIVING
• OVERTAKING CONTINUOUS CENTRE LINE
• DANGEROUS LANE CHANGING
• DRUNKEN DRIVING
• WRONG SIDE DRIVING
• CELL PHONE USAGE
• CHASING TARGET TIME AND DESTINATION
• EXCESS PASSENGERS/GOODS
• WITHOUT EFFECTIVE DRIVING LICENSE, NO HELMET AND NOT FOLLOWING SAFE
TRAFFIC RULES ETC.
• PASSENGERS’ FAULT
 INSTIGATE THE DRIVER TO GO FAST
 CHIT CHATTING WITH THE DRIVER
 BOARDING AND ALIGHTING A RUNNING VEHICLE
 DIVERTING THE DRIVER’S ATTENTION BY THEIR BEHAVIOR

• CYCLIST’S FAULT
 LEAST BOTHERED ABOUT THE OTHER TRAFFIC PEDESTRIAN’S FAULT
 UNFORTUNATELY THEY ARE NOT CARED. THEY TOO DON’T CARE THE OTHER TRAFFIC AND BECOME INNOCENT VICTIMS

• STRAY ANIMALS
 IRRESPONSIBLE OWNERS AS WELL AS INACTION BY THE CIVIC AGENCIES
• INFRASTRUCTURAL ERROR
 UNSAFE ROAD GEOMETRY AND MAINTENANCE
 IMPROPER JUNCTIONS & UNEVEN ROAD WIDTH
 LACK OF CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN ROAD RELATED AGENCIES
 LACK OF ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNAGE, STREET LIGHTS, ROAD MARKINGS, SIGNALS, ETC

• NATURAL ERROR
 RAIN
 FLOODS
 THUNDER STORMS
 FALLING OF TREES
 HOT SUMMER
 FOGGY WINTER
 SLEET FORMATION
• Changes in approach
• Accident Reporting and recording systems

Purpose of accident Data Collection

• Police collects data for legal prosecution

• The road Engineer:

– identifies dangerous spots in the road network
– has to know where the accident happened
– makes campaigns
– for improving the safety measures
– to alter road designs
– for providing warning signs
Gathered Accident Informations

• Location of the accident

• Involved parties
• Number of injuries
• Vehicle data
• Accident cause
• Sketch of the accident situation
• Statements of witnesses
• Date and time of day
• Collision type
• Road type and condition
• Weather and visibility