Ranking of Factors Influencing Injury and Death by Accident Using Analytical Approach: A Case Study of Ilam Province Roads

Abstract

Background: Every year many people are killed or injured in road accidents. The first step in planning to reduce accidents is to identify the causes of accidents. This study aimed to investigate and identify the causes and factors affecting the incidence and the severity of road accidents as a major issue in Ilam Province, Iran. Materials and Methods: This research is a descriptive study with an analytical approach. Descriptive and inferential statistics indices were used for statistical analysis. A researcher-made questionnaire as fieldwork was used to investigate the factors affecting accidents. Friedman test was used in the analytical study of the data obtained from the questionnaires. The study population included all drivers of the public suburban fleet, including taxis, minibusses, and buses on the Ilam Province. Out of 190 drivers, a sample size of 127 was selected using a Cochran formula. Results: From the drivers’ point of view, the main causes of public fleet accidents on the roads of Ilam Province are the quality and technical issues of the roads. Interviewees believed that dangerous turns, low width, poor road quality, and inadequate traffic signs are the main causes of accidents. After that, human factors are in the second place, including high speed and overturning, left-sway, and unmanageable rush, emphasizing the two factors of high speed and overtaking. The technical and qualitative factors of the vessels are in third place. Finally, the environmental and natural factors are in fourth place. Conclusion: Because the drivers consider the quality and technical issues of the roads as the main causes of traffic accidents in the transportation axes of Ilam Province, it is necessary to review and repair these transportation axes.

Examining the relationship between wind speed, climatic conditions, and road accidents in Iran

“…Overall, the main causes of road accidents in Iran can be categorized into three groups: Several common causes contribute to all three main factors leading to accidents, including anger and stress, boredom and tiredness, fatigue and sleepiness, lack of driving skills, use of drugs, alcohol, and sleeping pills, and use of mobile phones. These factors are controllable by drivers (Human factors) and align with the findings of previous accident-related research by Vakil al-Roaya & Zargar [ 9 ], Zhang and Proppe [ 12 ], Hammad et al [ 14 ], Jalilian et al [ 15 ], and Omidi, Jafari Skandari & Omidi [ 24 ]. However, unfortunately, most drivers do not pay adequate attention to these factors.…”

“…Ashley et al [ 23 ] focused on reduced visibility while driving and identified factors such as fog, smoke, dust, and severe storms as contributors to reduced visibility and accidents leading to fatalities. Omidi et al [ 24 ] investigated the factors influencing injuries and deaths in accidents in Ilam Province, Iran, classifying climate and wind factors as environmental causes and evaluating their impact from the drivers' perspective.…”

Study of driver's attitudes towards road safety in Georgia

“…The researchers categorized these factors into human error, road environment and vehicle conditions (5,6). Human behavior is the most common contributing factor to RTIs (7,8). Accordingly, there is an urgent need to investigate the impact of human behavior on road safety.…”