CAR USE AND ACCIDENT RISK

USAGE DE L'AUTOMOBILE ET RISQUE D'ACCIDENT

National accident statistics make a study of the main characteristics of the vehicles and drivers involved in accidents but risk exposure must be taken into account. The author describes a study in France where the distance travelled and the journey speeds were analysed for characteristic groups of driver vehicle or journey variables to give a basis for the evaluation of risks. A multidimensional approach was then used to highlight homogeneous groups of distances travelled and the relations between the different variables. A relative accident risk per unit distance was estimated for certain categories where data was available. Results showed most trips to be short (5 km or less) with journey speed increasing with journey length. Journeys to work and associated with work accounted for 30 per cent of distance travelled. Trips by men were characterised more by professional or leisure motivation than those by women. Mobility is closely linked to the income of the household and type of vehicle, newer vehicles are used more than older vehicles. Women were found to travel at the same speed as men on journeys. The relative risk of being involved in an accident was high between midnight and 3 am. Age was a dominant risk variable with the highest risks among young people. Vehicles over 10 years old have a higher risk of accident, partly because many are driven by young drivers. This paper was originally published in French in: recherche transports securite arcueil France, December 1988, no 20, p5-11, and for the French abstract see IRRD 122381.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)

  Wokingham, Berkshire  United Kingdom 
• Authors:
  • Fontaine, H
• Publication Date: 1989-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 15 p.
• Serial:
  • TRRL TRANSLATION
  • Issue Number: T 35
  • Publisher: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Age; Automobiles; Average travel speed; Behavior; Classification; Daylight; Drivers; Females; Hazards; Human beings; Income; Jobs; Mobility; Night; Risk assessment; Translations; Vehicle miles of travel; Vehicles; Work trips
• Geographic Terms: France
• ITRD Terms: 292: Mileage; 292: Vehicle kilometer
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00498093
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Report/Paper Numbers: 01
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 30 1990 12:00AM