In the first half of 2010 the number of accidents involving injuries fell significantly year-on-year on the motorway network operated by the State Motorway Management Company Limited (SMMC). The decrease took place despite a 14% rise in the number of accidents on expressways during this year’s unusually wet winter.
Experts at the State Motorway Management Company Ltd. continue to analyse the circumstances and causes of the accidents that occur on the motorway sections operated by the company. Based on the evaluation of motorway incidents recorded in recent years, as well as the statistical indicators most commonly used in the field of traffic safety, it can be established that motorway traffic is the safest of all categories of road transportation. The accident risk on domestic motorways is almost three times lower than on other public roads. However, due to the higher average speed of vehicles, the severity of accidents that do occur is generally higher on motorways.
The analysis of data for the first half of the year reveal that while the average travel distance (mileage) on the expressways managed by SMMC is constantly growing, the number of accidents involving injuries fell by 18.4% compared to the same period in 2009. The drop is most marked in the number of fatal accidents: while in 2009 23 such cases were recorded, this number fell to 14 in the first six months of 2010, representing a 39% decrease. The number of accidents involving severe injuries dropped from 65 to 54 (16.9% decrease), while the number of accidents with light injuries fell from 140 to 118 (15.7% decrease).
However, it should be added that the total number of accidents (including those involving property damage) grew by 17.4%. According to experts it can be primarily attributed to the unusually wet winter, which led to a surge in the number of motorway events, even compared to recent years.
The relative accident rate, which takes traffic volume into consideration, also clearly indicates an improving trend, SMMC in terms of traffic safety, on the expressway network managed by. The figures reveal that the number of accidents involving injury per million vehicle km dropped from 0.057 in the first half of 2009 to 0.047 this year, which translates into a 17.5% improvement. Moreover, the weighted relative accident rate, which consider the severity of grave traffic accidents, also indicates a 16.7% improvement compared to the previous year (2009: 2.250 / 2010: 1.875).
In terms of the locations of accidents involving injuries, the road sections in the network show a varied picture. The most significant improvement were observed on the M0, and the M1 that plays an important role in terms of international traffic: The data show a positive trend concerning the M2, usually characterised by the worst figures, with fatal accidents falling from 6 to 4 and accidents involving severe injuries dropping from 5 to 2 year on year. This improvement can be partly attributed to the traffic safety measures recently introduced by SMMC on the M2. These include the extension or modification of the ban on overtaking on certain sections; a more pronounced separation of the directions (double white lines with a coloured surface between them) where no central reservation exists,; and installing signs to warn motorists of especially dangerous sections.
In terms of the causes of accidents, a slight change can be observed in the first half of 2010 compared to the previous year. Careless driving still tops the list (27%), but this year followed by speeding, the percentage of which grew from 8% last year to 15.66% in 2010. The third is tailgating (9.25%), while erratic lane changing comes fourth (8.43%). Due to their relatively high percentage collisions with animals (7.23%) and falling asleep behind the wheel (4.7%) should also be mentioned among the most frequent causes of accidents.
SMMC continues to make serious efforts to reduce the number and severity of tragic motorway incidents. The measures included in the company’s Traffic Safety Programme for the second half of 2010 are as follows:
Reducing the incidence of tailgating
Statistical data from previous years’ accidents indicate that 20-25% of all fatal accidents on motorways are due to rear-end collisions. In order to reduce the number of such cases SMMC is continuing its traffic safety campaign launched in recent years. It includes the installation of new signs along the expressways, in cooperation with the National Accident Prevention Committee, to warn motorists to keep a safe following distance.
Improving seat belt use rates
The Company intends to play an important role in campaigns conducted for the purpose of promoting the use of seat belts in 2010 as well. It will provide maximum assistance and support for the related police measures and checking process.
Speed control
As a road operator, the company plans to start measuring speed along the roads under its management, following the conclusion of a cooperation agreement with ORFK, the National Police Headquarters. The two mobile speed-measuring devices, which will be installed in vignette control vehicles equipped with cameras, have already been purchased.
Reducing the number of animal collisions
In the second half of 2010 SMMC Ltd. will continue its research programme into the characteristics of animal collisions. Company experts believe that the findings of the research programme will allow a more effective reduction of such accidents. The company is also continuing to test animal repellent prisms along the motorways.
Reducing the number of accidents on the hard shoulder
In order to decrease the number of accidents on the shoulder, the company is continuing its programme of the past years, and endeavours to make drivers aware of the dangers of stopping on the shoulder lane, by awareness campaigns and other communication means (e.g. warnings on variable message signs or by the road inspector).