Motorway accidents: an examination of accident totals, rates and severity and their relationship with traffic flow

This paper presents the initial findings from a study which has examined motorway accident statistics during the period 1974-82 inclusive using data supplied by the Department of Transport appertaining to those links of the motorway network containing the core census sites. Relationships between injury accident total and traffic flow and accident rate and traffic volume, categorized by degree of severity and vehicle involvement, are proposed for both dual 2-lane and dual 3-lane motorways. Values of accident rate are compared with those specified in COBA and comments made as to their appropriateness. Various other characteristics of motorway accidents are discussed and presented within the paper. Language: en