The Importance of Holistic Investigation into Fatal and Life- Threatening Road Traffic Collisions

More information

Main author

Luck, A.

Co-Authors

-

Type of media

PDF

Publication type

Lecture

Publication year

2011

Publisher

20. EVU Conference, Graz

Citation

Luck, A..: The Importance of Holistic Investigation into Fatal and Life- Threatening Road Traffic Collisions. 20. EVU Conference, Gratz

In 2008, two fatal road traffic collisions occurred on the same stretch of carriageway within 24 hours of each other. Both occurred on a wet road surface, and a skid test measuring the coefficient of friction of the tyre and road surface interface was lower than would normally be expected for the conditions present.
In the UK, under the Highways Act 1980, there is a duty on highway authorities to maintain the highway for which they are responsible. While the meaning of ‘highway’ and ‘maintain’ is not defined within the Act, case law has determined the duty to include the condition of the road surface, including its skid resistance.
Information on the condition of the road was obtained by the police from the Local Highway Authority as part of their investigation but the opinion of an independent highway expert was not sought.
In 2010, at the same site, a further serious collision was followed within a few days by a third fatality. The subsequent investigation carried out clearly demonstrated the need for all aspects – the road user, the vehicle and the road environment – to be fully investigated following a fatal or life-threatening road traffic collision. It also highlighted the need for the police to have an improved understanding of the duties and responsibilities of the Highway Authority with regard to the management of the highway asset.