Analysis of accident event - agricultural machine and motorcyclist

Abstract

During the harvest of agricultural crops, the number of tractors, harvesters and other agricultural machines on roads increases. Collision situations of agricultural machines and road vehicles occur most often. In the event of a collision between agricultural machines and more vulnerable road users, the consequences are more serious. For motorcyclists, the collision situation is much more dangerous and there is a greater likelihood of serious injury or death. According to expert evidence and the crash test results show that if, for example, a motorcyclist collides with a tractor at speeds higher than 80 km·h-1, the probability of survival is minimal. The most frequent collision situations are intersections, exits from the side road to the main road, exits from the main road to the side road, confusing turns. The paper deals with the analysis of an accident event of an agricultural machine (self-propelled harvester) and a motorcyclist at a left-hand turn, in the outskirts of the village. The origin is investigated and the course of the accident scene with reference to the resulting specifics from the movement of special agricultural machines on roads. The speed of the vehicles is assessed as part of the analysis before the collision, impact speed with regard to the drivers’ visibility and driving technique are evaluated and the established technical cause of the accident event. At the end, the possibilities of averting an accident on the part of individual road users are described.