ROAD TRAFFIC COLLISION

Road Traffic Collision

On Site Road Traffic Collision Investigation

Introduction

There are two complementary approaches to accident investigation work; accident reduction, in which measures are, taken; to reduce the number and severity of accidents, and accident prevention. Accident prevention is the application of remedial measures preventing accidents from taking place in the future. The phenomenon of accident clusters has been recognised for many years and there is 'considerablei evidence showing that the identification and treatment of such sites with low-cost engineering remedial measures can be extremely cost-effective. Approaches to accident cluster reduction includes Single Site, Mass, Area, and Route Action plans. Of the four basic strategies, the potential for accident reduction using simple low-cost remedial measures at single hazardous sites is particularly high. In terms of accident reduction and prevention, local authorities in the UK have had considerable success with low-cost engineering safety improvements directed towards treating accident clusters at localised sites. Treatment can be. classified into three -main categories; road safety engineering measures, vehicle safety improvements and measures aimed at improving road user behaviour. These notes concern road safety engineering measures. Treatment of locations involving such single sites, are generally known as 'blackspots' or 'high accident treatment sites'. In countries with limited experience of accident remedial measure work, this'straightforward approach is likely to be the most effective. Advantages of the low-cost blackspot approach includes the measures involved are afforda ble and that they can be introduced on an experimental basis until they have proven their worth. Low-cost measures can also provide a demonstration that the existing roads network can be made safer by small scale improvements without the need for. large financial investments. For example, a study by (Helliar-Symons and Lynham) showed for selected accident and reduction programmes in the UK, First Year Rates of Return ranged from 65 to 950 per cent. (Salman Prashid Al-Zayani, 2007 Pp. 17)

Technical Procedures and Data Requirements

The success of most accident reduction programmes are heavily dependent on the existence of a reliable and easily analysed data base. Probably the most valuable and common source of road accident data are the accident report forms/boklets completed by reporting police officers at the scene of a road traffic accident (Police). Essential elements of an accident report form include factual and accurate data about the accident location, the casualties and vehicles involved, the immediate environment and witness' statements. Arguably the most important information recorded in a police booklet relates to accident location. Sources of additional data include hospital records, highway departments for traffic flow'data, letters from the public, insurance companies, transport and bus coi~ni~es, local councils etc. Various analysis and investigations are needed at different stages of the investigation. Initially, a broad study of the .data.base. is required identiyig. hazrous sites and -locations. This.data base should consist of three to five.. yersWOrth of. information'. Such a time span allows. for sufficient accidents to have been amassed for meaningful analysis, helps reduce fluctuations in the data and should not be too long a time span for traffic flow and engineering ...