SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN ROAD ACCIDENTS

TRAFIKOLYCKORNAS VARIATION UNDER AARET

Road accidents generally increase during October and November, fall during December and are lowest during January-April. The rise is attributable to onset of darkness and deteriorating road conditions. Later, road conditions become more stable and motorists familiar with conditions; snow improves visibility. Contributory factors are: each year there are 150,000-175,000 new drivers, most without training in winter driving. Many drivers' eyesight is substandard; many pedestrians carry no reflecting devices. Tyres are very important; regulations specify 1mm minimum tread depth, but 3mm is recommended. Tread pattern and depth are very important in preventing aquaplaning. All tyres should have the same pattern; rear tyres should not be worn more than front tyres. If studs are used, all tyres should be studded; maximum stud variation between tyres is 20%, maximum number per tyre on cars 150. To reduce road wear, the maximum permitted projection on cars is 1.5 mm. Brakes should be properly adjusted, wipers and bulbs regularly changed. Headlights must be on not only in the dark but whenever conditions warrant this. Measures must be taken to prevent road authorities being taken unawares by the first snowfall. Salt is best for preventing slippery conditions; improvements in friction outweigh the negative effects due to slush. Visual guidance must be improved. /TRRL/

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00422177
• Corporate Authors:

  Svenska Vag-Och Vattenbyggaren Riksforband

  Regeringsgaten 98
  S-11139 Stockholm,   Sweden 
• Authors:
  • Tjaellgren, P O
• Publication Date: 1974

Language

• Swedish

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: 2 p.
• Serial:
  • Vag-Och Vattenbyggaren
  • Issue Number: 12
  • Publisher: Svenska Vag-Och Vattenbyggaren Riksforband
  • ISSN: 0042-2177

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Brakes; Crash causes; Crash rates; Crashes; Driver experience; Night; Pedestrians; Prevention; Safety; Seasons; Studded tires; Tires; Vehicles; Visibility; Vision; Winter
• Geographic Terms: Sweden
• ITRD Terms: 1643: Accident; 1661: Accident prevention; 1612: Accident rate; 1057: Air transport network; 1361: Brake; 2225: Experience (human); 9052: Night; 1733: Pedestrian; 1665: Safety; 2525: Season; 1382: Studded tyre; 8109: Sweden; 1381: Tyre; 2066: Vision; 2575: Winter
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Vehicles and Equipment; I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00125159
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Swedish National Road and Traffic Research Institute
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 18 1975 12:00AM