Single vehicle crash risk too high in Europe

Research shows that single vehicle crashes (SVCs) are a serious problem for road users in Europe. According to crash analysis, around 7300 road users in the EU were killed during 2015 in SVCs. The data also shows that around 94,800 people were killed in SVCs in the EU over the last 10 years.
July 13, 2017 Read time: 2 mins

Research shows that single vehicle crashes (SVCs) are a serious problem for road users in Europe. According to crash analysis, around 7300 road users in the 3287 EU were killed during 2015 in SVCs. The data also shows that around 94,800 people were killed in SVCs in the EU over the last 10 years.

The crash data analysis reveals that the number of people being killed in SVCs in the EU nations was reduced by 43% in the 2005-2014 time period. This was a greater decrease than the total road death reduction for Europe of 41% in the same time period but less than that of fatality reductions from multi-vehicle crashes of 44%.

The greatest risk from SVCs is on rural roads where over 60% of fatalities occur. Improvements in road design have helped in the drop in fatalities on rural links. The data shows that car occupants account for 68% of SVC fatalities in Europe, with powered two wheeler riders accounting for around 20% of SVC deaths. Trucks account for 7% of SVC road deaths while buses account for less than 1%.

As with all crashes, young drivers and riders are at the greatest risk from SVC crashes. Drivers and riders aged 18-24 are at twice the risk of being involved in a fatal SVC than those aged 25-49. The biggest risk of an SVC is when a vehicle leaves the road either on a straight section or at a curve.

Research carried out in the Netherlands in 2011 reveals that driver distraction was a factor in 31% of SVCs analysed, with speeding being a factor in 27% of such incidents, alcohol use at 19% and driver tiredness at 17%.

Key measures to improve safety include removing obstacles from the roadside, installing guard rail and carrying out comprehensive crash investigations to collate key fata.

Proper enforcement of speed limits, seat belts, helmets, and rules governing drink driving and driver distraction would also help reduce the death and injury toll from SVCs. Other measures could include introducing graduated licensing, autonomous emergency braking and alcohol interlocks.

Road Markings, Barriers & Workzone Protection

For more information on companies in this article

EU

Related Content

  • UAE sees road safety gain
    December 21, 2015
    Road safety is improving in the UAE according to official data. The latest statistics from the Traffic Coordination General at the Interior Ministry of the UAE show reductions in deaths and injuries caused by road crashes in the January to October 2015 period. The data shows deaths on the UAE’s roads have dropped 4.9% while serious injuries have fallen by 5.1% over the same period. The number of deaths resulting from traffic crashes posted in the 10 months under review amounted to 560, compared with 589 for
    Read More
  • Working towards safer India mobility...
    July 18, 2012
    Sibylle Rupprecht, IRF-GPC Director General, looks towards sound mobility management at the 3rd Regional Conference of the International Road Federation 3rd-4th October 2008 in New Delhi, India More than 1.2 million deaths and 23 million injuries are caused by road accidents worldwide every year. Of these, India accounts for 10% of fatal accidents. These alarming figures were disclosed by the speakers at the 3rd Regional IRF Conference on 'Mobility and Safety in Road Transport' to some 250 engineers and exp
    Read More
  • Let’s go party
    October 3, 2018
    Some friends in the US decided to turn a toy Barbie Mustang car into something rather more entertaining. The men fitted a Honda motorcycle engine and new driveline components, including go-kart tyres. This allowed a top speed of 115km/h, which it could reach in just six seconds, making it rather lively and spirited and also difficult to control. The vehicle is definitely not likely to be made road legal any time soon and nor is a model with a similar performance ever likely to be available from the original
    Read More
  • DUI risk from cannabis continues for hours
    October 17, 2018
    New research has revealed that drivers remain under the influence for several hours after smoking cannabis.
    Read More

Highlighted Content