2022 Volume 14 Pages 2217-2237
In developing countries, road safety is an issue of prime concern. In this context, the present study has utilized road traffic crash data of the state of West Bengal, in India. Statistical models are developed to identify the key attributes influencing crash severity as well as collision types (i.e., head-on, hit from back or side, overturn, run-off). The study findings indicate that road geometrics, pavement condition, inadequate visibility, absence of appropriate speed enforcement, presence of undivided carriageway, are some of the major risk factors influencing the crash severity as well as the collision type. The study also highlights the deficiencies in ‘post-crash responses’ as a significant contributor to crash severity. The derived knowledge of risk factors is advantageously utilized to recommend specific countermeasures and road safety policies to improve the present road safety scenario in India and other developing nations.
