A trial was set up in the UK for the police to collect data on the contributory factors causing accidents. The precipitating factor is selected from a list of 15 factors and the contributory factors from a list of 54 factors. For each contributory factor the reporting officer must indicate their confidence in the judgement by coding it as definite, probable or possible. The data collected reflects the view of the officer, and does not constitute a deltailed accident investigation. Analyses of the data indicated that five of the precipitating factors explained over 80% of accidents. These were: failed to avoid vehicle or object in the carriageway; loss of control of vehicle; failed to give way; pedestrian entered carriageway without due care; and poor turn/manoeuvre. The main precipitating factor in fatal and serious accidents was loss of control of vehicle. The most commonly coded contributory factors in fatal accidents were: excessive speed; careless/thoughtless/reckless behaviour; inattention; lack of judgement of own path; and failed to judge other person's path or speed. For all severities of accidents the most frequently recorded factors were: inattention; failure to judge other person's path or speed; looked but did not see; careless/thoughtless/reckless behaviour; and failed to look. The excessive speed factor is discussed further and it is suggested that the three factors vehicles involved in a crime, exceeding the speed limit and driving too fast for the conditions should be separated out. A revised specification for data collection is to be adopted nationally in 2005.
Abstract