SAFETY ON MOTORWAYS. REAR-END COLLISIONS; DIAGNOSIS OF AN ACCIDENT

An analysis of 5,323 rear-end collisions on 850 km of motorway (Brescia-Milan-Naples) shows that this type of accident amounts to one third of all motorway accidents, accounting for 40% of casualties and more than 40% of deaths. The incidence of goods vehicles in these collisions is far higher than their degree of mobility: accounting for 26% of total mileage and 41% of accidents. The greatest number of rear-end collisions occurs between 6 and 8 p.m., and up-hill accidents are more serious because of the greater dispersion between the speeds of cars and goods vehicles. While only 5% of these accidents occur in the emergency parking lane, they account for 12.4% of the fatal collisions. Suggestions for reducing the number and severity of rear-end collisions include: the creation of a slow lane with emergency parking areas, measures to improve driving under poor light conditions and upper and lower speed limits to reduce speed range dispersion. (A)

• Corporate Authors:

  Sacieta Autostrade

  Via Antonio Nibby 10
  00161 Rome,   Italy 
• Authors:
  • Farachi, B
  • Dragonetti, M
  • Annesi, A
• Publication Date: 1971-8

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 44-55
• Serial:
  • AUTOSTRADE
  • Volume: 13
  • Issue Number: 8

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash investigation; Emergency vehicles; Fatalities; Freight transportation; Highway safety; Light; Parking facilities; Rear end crashes; Speed limits; Traffic crashes
• Old TRIS Terms: Emergency parking bays
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00262023
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Safety Council Safety Res Info Serv
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 20 1974 12:00AM