A detailed investigation has been made of road and environment features affecting accident rates on the main traffic routes in four towns in southern England. Details of over 1000 personal injury accidents were examined and the main types of accidents identified. Accident rates along sections of road passing through different types of land use were compared and the rate was found to be highest on roads passing through suburban shopping areas. Accidents were also found to cluster at a few very busy junctions. Some methods of reducing accidents were discussed and it was concluded that a substantial reduction in overall accident numbers on arterial roads, could be achieved by introducing road safety measures to a comparatively small part of the road network. (Author/publisher)
Abstract