Citation

Powell DG. IATSS Res. 1988; 12(2): 42-50.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1988, International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The paper is concerned with the involvement of skidding in road traffic accidents. Evidence suggests that both accident totals and skidding involvement are underreported. Wet road accident rate may be a better indicator but is still subject to miss reporting, particularly in relation to the damp-road condition. Studies of accident distribution have indicated those locations having high densities. Such definition is essential if the implementation of skid resistance remedial measures is to be optimized. The relationship between skid resistance and accident rate is complicated by the secondary nature of the former. Nevertheless there is general agreement that accident rates decrease with increasing skid resistance and that there is no currently attainable value beyond which further reduction cannot be achieved. Cost-effectiveness and relative costs and performance of different materials/treatments are discussed. Consideration is given to the evolution of recommendations and standards for minimum skid resistance levels in the UK resulting statutory minimum investigatory levels on trunk roads.