This paper describes an investigation on whether the change in the viewing environment at dusk has a connection with the occurrence of traffic accidents, by statistical analysis of traffic accident data in Japan. In the paper, dusk is considered to be a time period of civil twilight which is about 30 minutes in Tokyo. The target area is limited so that the time period for dusk would be basically the same time. As a result, the author could not recognize a tendency for traffic accidents to occur with special frequency in the dusk period. In addition, an analysis was performed in terms of the drivers' ages (drivers in their 20s, 40s, and 65 years or over). Judging from traffic accident data, the author could not confirm a tendency toward more frequent traffic accidents at dusk in any of the age groups, including drivers of advanced age. (A)
Samenvatting