In order to increase traffic safety for unprotected road users in Sweden, a project based on accident in-depth investigations was carried out. The project focused on accidents between unprotected road users and motor vehicles. The accident in-depth investigations studied the pre crash phase. As part of the investigations, eye movement recordings and analyses were done in order to identify possible mechanical filters, i.e. obstacles of all sorts that prevent adequate visual information to reach the driver at the road accident site. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether or not eye movement analyses could be a useful tool for better understanding of the accident causation and, furthermore, for identification of possible "mechanical filters" in the traffic environment. The results from this pilot study showed that in 75 per cent of the investigated accidents, in which eye movement recording were part of the investigation, the eye movement analyses played a major or conclusive role. Furthermore, eye movement analyses could be used in the reconstruction of accidents. It was suggested that investment in an eye tracker and in employing medically educated professionals may be a good investment, if it can lead to a decrease in traffic accidents by pointing out mechanical filters leading to accidents. (Author/publisher).
Abstract