Roadside hazard involvement in South Australian car crashes was determined by examination of police reports on road accidents for the years 1994-1996 and by a detailed investigation of Coroner's files on fatal car crashes for the years 1985-1996. Roadside hazards were the immediate cause of 39 per cent of car occupant fatalities and were involved in 38 per cent of hospital admission crashes. Trees, often deliberately planted, were the most common roadside hazard in the crashes studied, and the most dangerous, accounting for 23 per cent of all car occupant fatalities. Utility poles accounted for a further 8 per cent. Most of the roadside hazards that caused the death of a car occupant were located very close to the edge of the roadway. Recommendations are made for reducing the risks presented by roadside hazards. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E202275.
Samenvatting