This paper reports on fatal road traffic accidents, based on detailed case-by-case studies of 1000 police files. Forty-four per cent of fatal accidents sampled involved a vehicle going out of control on a bend or curve. The mean age of drivers was significantly younger than the mean age of drivers in all other accidents in the sample. Approximately five times as many male drivers were at fault as female river in this fatality class. Excessive speed was a major factor in loss of control. 57% of these accidents occurred during the hours of darkness. Of all fatal accidents, 19% involved a driver over the drink drive limit and 4% involved drugs. The incidence of drink and drug related accidents was highest in drivers aged under 30 and lowest in those aged over 70. In 34% of fatal accidents, the fatally injured person was not wearing a safety belt. Fatalities involving drivers engaging in right of way violations formed 16% of the sample and had a greater mean age of driver than all other accidents in the sample. With drivers over 65 years of age 'looked but did not see' or failure to observe correctly accidents explained over 70% of fatalities. The highest incidence of passenger fatalities involved males aged 16-20. Often the occupants of a vehicle had all consumed alcohol, or drugs, or had not worn safety belts. These accidents were commonest after 2200h and before 0200h. The reasons for the increased accident fatality rate among young and old drivers are discussed. For the covering abstract see ITRD E138063.
Abstract