Adelaide in-depth accident study 1975-1979. Part 7: Road and traffic factors

Abstract

This report contains a review of those features of the road and traffic environment that were relevant to the causation or consequences of the accidents in a representative sample of accidents to which an ambulance was called in metropolitan Adelaide. The review is presented in the context of descriptions of the accidents in order to demonstrate the interactions between road and traffic factorsand those relating to the vehicles and to the road users. Infringement of a traffic rule was the most common factor but this was often more a description of what happened rather than an adequate explanation. Excessive speed was also a prominent factor, even though the actual speed may have been below the legal limit, in collisions at sign-controlled and uncontrolled intersections. Safe approach speeds to uncontrolled intersections were such that a strong case can be made for the provision of some form of control. Fail-to-stand accidents were the most common type of collision at signalised locations, with auxiliary kerb lanes appearing to exacerbate the problem. Characteristics of the road surface were rarely relevant, possibly because the surface was generally dry and of good quality. Roadside objects played a role in determining the consequences of about one-third of the accidents.