Citation

Sweatman PK, Ogden KW, Haworth N, Pearson RA, Schnerring F, Vulcan AP. Proc. Int. Tech. Conf. Enhanced Safety Vehicles 1992; 1992: 423-428.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, In public domain, Publisher National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A detailed study of fatal heavy vehicle crashes occurring on major New South Wales highways in the period 1988-1989 was carried out on behalf of the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority and the Federal Office of Road Safety. This involved inspection of each crash site and use of reports by police, coroners and vehicle inspectors. The circumstances surrounding these crashes and the likely contributing factors were identified; these factors relate to drivers, vehicles, the road and the environment. In addition, a wide range of possible countermeasures to truck crashes were evaluated; these related to vehicles, heavy vehicle drivers, speeds, roads and traffic, other road users, management and regulation of the industry and enforcement. The results of the study are described and the major factors found to be contributing to such crashes are discussed, including: road standard, road alignment, poor lighting conditions, roadside objects, excessive truck speed, variance between car and truck speeds, truck instability, driver inattention, fatigue and alcohol. Consideration is also given to the potential role of a range of possible countermeasures.


Keywords: Driver distraction;