THE INFLUENCE OF STUDDED TYRES ON TRAFFIC SAFETY IN FINLAND

NASTARENKAIDEN VAIKUTUS LIIKENNETURVALLISUUTEEN. ONNETTOMUUSTUTKIMUS

Case study reports of the traffic accident investigation committees on fatal accidents in 1974 and 1975 as well as of the data of the central statistical office on traffic accidents during the winters 1970 to 1974 were analysed. It is estimated that with the present use of studded tyres about 100 traffic deaths are avoided in Finland each year, which is about 11% of the fatal traffic accidents in a whole year and 25% of those occurring between November 16 and April 15. The mandatory use of studded tyres on all motor vehicles would reduce traffic deaths by 40, or by 4.5% per year compared with the present situation. If the use of summer tyres is forbidden during the winter, 15-22 lives would be saved (2%). The traffic accident data of the central statistical office show that the proportion of cars using studded tyres is smaller than would be expected from their share of the vehicle mileage. Of the cars involved in accidents the proportion of vehicles with studded tyres was, however, not less on slippery roads than on non-slippery roads. Considering that the share of studded tyres of the vehicle mileage is 3 to 5% greater on slippery roads than on non-slippery roads it is calculated that slippery roads increase the accident risk with non-studded tyres 1.15 to 1.37 times compared with that of studded tyres. With certain additional assumptions it is calculated that at present the use of studded tyres reduces accidents by 4 to 22% per winter. (TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  Finnish Road Association

  Vironkatu 6
  00170 Helsinki 17,   Finland 
• Authors:
  • Huhtala, M
  • Kallberg, V P
• Publication Date: 1978

Language

• Finnish

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 90 p.
• Serial:
  • Tie ja Liikennelaboratorio
  • Issue Number: 33
  • Publisher: Finnish Road Association

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash rates; Data analysis; Drains; Driving; Fatalities; Mathematical analysis; Studded tires; Traffic regulations; Traffic safety; Winter
• Uncontrolled Terms: Traffic laws
• Geographic Terms: Finland
• Old TRIS Terms: Agricultural drains
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00309800
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Report/Paper Numbers: Monograph
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 5 1980 12:00AM