Fatigue crashes happen in urban areas too : characteristics of crashes in low speed urban areas

Abstract

Driver fatigue remains a significant contributory factor in motor-vehicle crashes. Fatigue-attributed crashes most often occur in rural, high speed driving environments with a single vehicle leaving the roadway or crossing the centre line. Previous research has however suggested that fatigue may contribute to a greater number and broader range of crashes, including those in low speed, urban environments. Little research has been conducted towards identifying the salient characteristics associated with fatigue-related crashes occurring in these areas. In order to address this limitation, this investigation examines the characteristics associated with police reported fatigue/fall asleep crashes in urban areas with a speed zone of 60km/h or less, using Queensland crash data from Queensland Transport’s Road Crash Database for the period 1 July2000 to 30 June 2006. The results obtained revealed specific characteristics associated with fatigue/fell asleep crashes, compared to crashes considered to be the result of other circumstances.