Each year around 225,000 people are reported injured in road traffic accidents in urban area of great britain. There are many factors that contribute to urban road traffic accidents, and the injuries that are suffered by accident victims. One of the most important injury causation mechanisms is the closing speed of the impact itself, and the relative vulnerability of the parties involved. This is particulary significant in pedestrian accidents, 95 per cent of which occur in urban areas. A reduction in speed to 20 mph in certain areas clearly has significant implications for casualty reduction amongs those most vulnerable. This paper builds on earlier work describing the treatment of accidents in urban residential areas in great britain and northern continental europe (see IRRD 847694). Case studies are presented that show current progress in Great Britain with respect to the benefits of traffic calming schemes, particularly the introduction of self-enforcing 20 mph zones. (A)
Samenvatting