Citation

Chand M. Indian Highw. 1995; 23(2): 23-29.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Indian Roads Congress)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper analyses selected important causes of Indian road accidents. It was found that the major causes of the accidents in 1985 were: (1) driver errors (57%); (2) pedestrians (5%); (3) vehicle defects (5%); (4) passengers (3%); and (5) bad roads (2%). The author considers: (1) the road factor; (2) the vehicle factor; (3) the month, day, and time of day factor; (4) contributory factors; and (5) the driver factor. Also considered is the Haddon matrix, which provides a simplified approach for examining the causes of crashes, and options for reducing the resulting losses. It divides the time sequence into pre-crash, crash, and post-crash phases, which interact with three sets of crash factors. A nine-cell matrix is formed, each cell of which provides opportunities for interventions to reduce crash losses. The crash phase includes factors that determine whether injury occurs and its severity. The post-crash phase includes whatever affects limitation and repair of injury after a crash.