Vulnerable road users: Pedestrians & Motorcycle and bicycle riders

Crash risk of pedestrians Motor vehicle crashes with pedestrains constitute a small portion of all crashes BUT pedestrians are more likely to be killed in crashes. In EU countries, relative to their exposure, on average pedestrians are 6.7 times more likely to be killed in traffic accidents than vehicle occupants (WHO, 2004).

Income and pedestrian fatalities Income level of countries and proportion of pedestrian fatalities are related. In poor countries pedestrians constitute more than 35% of all fatalities but in rich countries they tend to constitute 10% or less (Link, 2006; Shinar, 2007) As the income level and motorization level of a country increase, pedestrian fatalities decrease. WHY?

Crash risk of pedestrians Both young and old people are at greater risk to be injured or killed as pedestrians Old people are more fragile and has physical limitations Also children are at a greater risk More than one-fifth of all children between the ages of 5 and 9 years old killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians (NHTSA, 2003)

Causes of pedestrian crashes In most cases pedestrian behavior cause the accident For child and teen pedestrians Darting out from a place to the street, playing in the street Not obeying the signal For adult pedestrians Inattention and distraction Being alcohol impaired Walking or crossing the street in a careless way (jay walking)… For old people Slow walking Failing to see approaching vehicles and estimating time gaps Being more vulnerable to the effect of crash Not recognizing and avoiding the danger

Causes of pedestrian crashes Invisibility Primary cause of pedestrian fatalities at night crashes Use of reflo-reflective materials increase visibility

Characteristics of pedestrian involved accidents Most of them occur on urban roads at night Most pedestrian fatalities occur at non-intersections (over 75 percent) and roadways without crosswalks (over 40 percent) (NHTSA, 2003). Mostly occurs because of the risk pedestrians are taking while crossing the road.

Culture and pedestrian safety Culture and social norms affect pedestrian safety Attitudes towards pedestrians??

Countermeasures to improve pedestrain safety Behavioral interventions Education Teaching pedestrians to wear high-reflectance clothing Enforcement Environmental design Traffic calming techniques like roundabouts Use of traffic signals, overpass and underpasses for pedestrians Visible pedestrian crossings…

Motorcyclists Riding a motorcycle is the most dangereous means of transportation No protective shield for riders Less visible and stable… There is a much big crash risk for motorcycles than cars! Riding a motorcycle is 10 times more dangerous per kilometers of travel than a car (WHO, 2004)

Motorcycle crashes Mostly they collide with a passenger car Run off the road crashes are common Main cause of the crashes is the human failure, especially the failure of the car driver

Human failures in motorcycle crashes Inattention to the traffic and to the rider Rider and cycle conspicuity if the rider or the cycle is not obvious and bright enough crash risk increase Rider skills and performance

Human failures in motorcycle crashes Alcohol and drug use Speeding inappropriate and excessive speed cause crashes Other perceptual factors Motorcyle riders are perceived to moving slower than cars

Risk factors for riders Being young and inexperienced More violations and carelessness High risk-taking and sensation seeking Being older Decreased hazard detection and vehicle control skills Having a lower socio-economic status

IRTAD

How to increase motorcycle rider safety Training and licensing requirements Training in hazard perception Increasing motorcycle and rider conspicuity Using highly reflective helmets and clothing Running day lights Use of helmets Vehicle and road way improvements

Helmet use Reduce fatalities by 37% (NHTSA, 2004) Its use is low because it is perceived to be discomfortable and reducing hearing and visual field BUT it does not!

Bicycle riders Human powered vehicles, such as bicycles, are beneficial in different ways More economical Do not cause pollution in environment A way of physical exercise.. Use of bicycles is increasing in many countries

Bicycle riders and traffic accidents Similar to motorcycle riders bicycle riders have also a greater risk of crash risk, and once a crach occur, cyclists are more likely to die and get injured. Among EU countries bicyclists are 5.7 times more likely to be killed in a traffic accident than vehicle occupants (WHO, 2004)

Bicycle riders and traffic accidents Common reasons of bicycle accidents Drivers overlook cyclists near intersections because of some attention and perception lapses Low level of conspicuity Cicyclists have been seen as a ‘minority group’ in traffic so there is low tolerance and acceptance for them (Walker, 2011) Errors of cyclists

Bicycle riders and traffic accidents Use of helmets are also very essential for bicycle riders Special roads should be designed for cyclists Use of reflecting material is important especially at night.