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Road crashes are rarely caused
by a single factor. The diagram below shows the findings from
road crash investigation studies. It illustrates the proportions
of accidents where the main cause is due to either a single
factor, or to multiple factors. However, it is important to
note that road user error can includes many different types
of error, including fatigue, alcohol impairment, inexperience,
distraction, etc. This approach fails to consider what might
have prevented the crash, i.e. a road engineering measure like
a speed hump can prevent speeding, a common road user error
resulting in crashes. Cure and cause are not always the same
thing.
William Haddon, the first head of the
US Federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and
a public health physician, took a different approach. His medical
background led him to focus on the prevention of injury rather
than the cause of the crash.
Haddon Matrix for Injury Control: Example
of Motorcycle Safety
| |
Personal |
Vehicle |
Road environment |
| Pre-event |
Avoid alcohol consumption
Obey traffic laws
Supervised training
|
Daytime headlamps
Good tyre, brakes
|
One-way streets
Special lanes for motorcycling
Clear road signs and signals
|
| Event |
Wear fastened helmet
Physical fitness;
exercise, bone strength
|
Good quality, well-fitting
helmet
Leg guards on cycle
Heavy boots and clothing
|
Energy absorbing barriers
Roadsides clear of fixed obstructions
Guardrail along cliff
|
| Post-event |
Rehabilitation |
First aid kit
Emergency radio
|
Communication network
Transportation network
Emergency services
|
References
BARSS P, G SMITH, S BAKER, and D MOHAN
(1998), "Injury Prevention: An International Perspective, Oxford
University Press,
SABEY BE and H TAYLOR (1980). The known risks we run: the highway.
TRRL Supplementary Report SR 567. TRL Ltd, Crowthorne.
CARSTEN OMJ, MR TIGHT and MT SOUTHWELL (1989) Urban accidents:
why do they happen? Report of a study on contributory factors
in urban road traffic accidents. University of Leeds, Institute
of Transport Studies. AA Foundation for Road Safety Research,
Basingstoke.
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