Although reliable records are not available, there is evidence that the bus system of Rio de Janeiro shows high risks, poor maintenance, difficulties in training and selecting bus crews and low or non existent enforcement. Nearly 75 per cent of all journeys are made by bus, where although 90 per cent of the buses are made by the same manufacturer, eight different private operators have different accident rates. The paper outlines the content of a training programme carried out to demonstrate to operators that traffic accidents were due to a combination of circumstances. The course identified contributory accident factors, emphasising the need for a deeper accident analysis. Risk indicators were recognised for drivers and routes, and operators were encouraged to implement an accident reduction programme soon after the end of the course.
Abstract