Analysis has revealed a relationship between accident severity and the prevailing weather during certain hazardous conditions.
- Rain-related accidents show a consistent decrease in severity when compared with accidents in fine weather. This
study has indicated that the frequency of accidents resulting in slight injury increases during
rain. Consequently, drivers need to be encouraged to adapt their driving behavior to the prevailing conditions by reducing speeds and increasing the
gap distance between vehicles during rain. Yet
wet weather warning signs advising of slippery surfaces and the need to take care with speeds are
absent from the vast majority of the British road
network. This is in direct contrast to the French highway authorities, who impose a lower maximum speed limit in wet weather, thus acknowledging
the increased risks of losing vehicle control, and the greater stopping distances required.
In the absence of similar measures, British authorities
must rely on educating drivers to modify their behavior. No such campaign is currently underway
for the condition of rain.
- The relationship between high winds and accident
severity was not found to be significant in
this study, yet in Britain drivers are warned about
the likelihood of high winds (especially cross
winds in exposed locations) through the use of motorway wind socks. Moreover, certain structures, such as viaducts and suspension bridges,
are subject to restrictions of use when wind speeds are hazardous.
- Evidence for accident severity in fog is far from conclusive, although generally a reduction
in accident severity during periods of fog has occurred in the Midlands.
This study has examined actual accident severity
during adverse weather. Subsequent research
is required to examine the likelihood of
increased risks of accident involvement and the
resultant effects on accident severity during hazardous
weather. Those measures taken thus far to reduce accident risk and severity are generally of
a technical nature, warning drivers of the prevailing
conditions. In the future, modification of driver behavior during adverse weather will be a
key factor in risk reduction.