The study focused on the connection between driving speed and fatal motor vehicle accidents. The study was based on a database compiled by insurance companies comprising all fatal road traffic accidents in Finland during 1991-1998, a total of 1400 multiple-vehicle and 793 single-vehicle accidents. Accidents of vulnerable road users were not included. Not only were individual driver related factors considered, but also factors that may promote high driving speed. In single-vehicle or off-road accidents, driver-related factors, e.g. speeding and driving while intoxicated were often connected with a fatal outcome of an accident. In multiple vehicle accidents the fatalities depended upon accident type, driving speed and vehicle type of the participants. Although the driver-related perspective provides explanations as to the causes of fatal accidents, it is not enough to prevent them from happening. This is why we need information about the whole traffic system, road characteristics, weather conditions, speed limits, accident type, exposure on the specific road etc. The discussion focuses on the appropriateness of the current speed limits and on how the traffic system should on the whole be developed. For the covering abstract see ITRD E113725 (C 22328 CD-ROM).
Abstract