Abstract
BackgroundAllowing contraflow cycling on one-way streets has been reported to reduce crash risks in Belgium and the United Kingdom. Similarly, walking against traffic on roadways without sidewalks substantially improves pedestrian safety. This study examined fatalities and head injuries sustained by pedestrians in against-traffic and with-traffic crashes.MethodsUsing police-reported crash data in Taiwan between 2011 and 2016, fatalities and head injuries were compared for pedestrians involved in against-traffic and with-traffic crashes.ResultsOf the 14,382 pedestrians involved in crashes, 10,749 and 3633 pedestrians in with-traffic and against-traffic crashes, respectively, were reported. Compared with pedestrians involved in against-traffic crashes, those in with-traffic crashes were more likely to sustain fatalities and head injuries. Results of logistic regression models revealed several influential factors on pedestrian fatalities and head injuries, including elderly pedestrians, male drivers, intoxicated drivers, rural roadways, unlit streets in darkness, limited sight distance, adverse weather conditions, midnight hours, and a heavy vehicle as the crash partner.ConclusionsPedestrians in with-traffic crashes were more likely to sustain fatalities and head injuries compared with those in against-traffic crashes. Furthermore, the negative effect of walking with traffic on injuries was more pronounced in reduced-visibility conditions.
Highlights
Allowing contraflow cycling on one-way streets has been reported to reduce crash risks in Belgium and the United Kingdom
Following the pioneering study conducted in Finland [9] that has concluded that walking against traffic is beneficial in reducing pedestrian crashes, the primary aim of this study was to examine injury severity and head injuries sustained by pedestrians in facing-traffic and backto-traffic crashes
Regarding pedestrians’ walking direction, the number of fatal injuries was higher among pedestrians walking with traffic (164; 1.55%) than it was among those walking against traffic (0.88%)
Summary
Allowing contraflow cycling on one-way streets has been reported to reduce crash risks in Belgium and the United Kingdom. Contraflow cycling schemes on one-way streets have been reported to reduce crash risks in European countries, notably in the United Kingdom [2] and Belgium [3]. The primary reason for such a beneficial effect of contraflow cycling schemes is that motorists and cyclists can maintain continuous eye contact and execute evasive manoeuvres to avoid crashes. Not mandatory in general, several States such as Florida [6] has enacted law mandating pedestrians to walk against oncoming traffic on roadways without sidewalks. The primary reason for this law is that, similar to contraflow cycling schemes, motorists and pedestrians can perceive each other. Evidence from other studies may support law mandating pedestrians to
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