An insight to motorized two and three wheel crashes in developing countries: A case study in Sri Lanka

ABSTRACT Road traffic injury is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Sri Lanka. In 2014, 35,967 crashes were reported of which 6% were fatal, causing 2,440 deaths. Motorcycles account for more than 50% of the vehicles registered in the country and have been involved in over 50% of the total fatalities in 2014. Three-wheelers, being the second highest registered vehicle category in the country, have been involved in 16% of the fatalities in the same year. An analysis of motorcycle and three-wheeler crashes was done using the Sri Lanka Police Accident Database, vehicle registration details, and population data. On average, four people died per day from motorcycle and three-wheeler crashes in 2013. Not having a valid driving license upon a crash, rear-end crashes, age group 21 to 25 years, and single-vehicle crashes were some of the significant risk factors associated with motorcycle crashes. Aggressive or negligent driving, crash being a rolled over crash, driver age group 26 to 30 years were some of the significant factors associated with three-wheeler crashes. Promotion of public transport, strict law enforcement on helmet usage, design change of three-wheelers to restrict narrow turns. and more road safety education are suggested to mitigate this issue.