High Accidents Research Articles

Factors affecting driving performance in patients with Multiple Sclerosis - still an open question.

Research on driving ability in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) suggests that they might be at risk for unsafe driving due to MS-related motor, visual, and cognitive impairment. Our first aim was to investigate differences in driving ability and performance between people with MS (PwMS) and those without any neurologic or psychiatric disease ("controls"). Secondly, we determined disease-related factors influencing driving ability in PwMS. We prospectively compared standardized performance in a driving simulator between 97 persons with early MS [mean (SD) = 6.4 (7.3) years since diagnosis, mean (SD) Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) = 2.5 (1.4)] and 94 group-matched controls. Participants completed an extensive examination comprising questionnaires and assessments regarding driving, cognitive and psychological factors, as well as demographic and disease-related measures. Between-group comparisons of driving-relevant neuropsychological tests and driving performance were done. Correlations were performed to define demographic and disease-related factors on driving performance in MS. In a driving simulator setting, PwMS had more driving accidents [T(188) = 2.762, p = 0.006], reacted slower to hazardous events [T(188) = 2.561, p = 0.011], made more driving errors [T(188) = 2.883, p = 0.004] and had a worse Driving Safety Score (DSS) [T(188) = 3.058, p = 0.003] than controls. The only disease-related measure to be associated with most driving outcomes was the Wechsler Block-Tapping test (WMS-R) backward: number of accidents (r = 0.28, p = 0.01), number of driving errors (r = 0.23, p = 0.05) and DSS (r = -0.23, p = 0.05). Driving performance in a simulator seems to be reduced in PwMS at an early stage of disease compared to controls, as a result of increased erroneous driving, reduced reaction time and higher accident rate. MS-related impairment in mobility, vision, cognition, and in psychological and demographic aspects showed no or only minimal association to driving ability, but impairment in different areas of cognition such as spatial short-term memory, working memory and selective attention correlated with the number of accidents, and might indicate a higher risk for driving errors and worse performance. These results show that driving ability is a complex skill with involvement of many different domains, which need further research.

소방공무원 현장순직사고의 발생실태 및 대응방안에 관한 연구

This study analyses the on-site fatal accidents of firefighters from 2002 to 2021 and proposes response measures to reduce fatal accidents. For this purpose, detailed analyses were conducted by type of work, cause, region, day of the week, rank, age, and years of service. The most common type of fatal accident was engaged in firefighting, followed by drowning and traffic accidents. There were more fatal accidents in Gyeonggi and Gangwon province on Thursdays. There was a disproportionately high rate of fatal accidents among those in leading positions(fire sergeant and senior firefighter) in the field and those in their late 30s. Firefighters with less than five years of experience had a high rate of fatalities. Based on these analyses, this study makes the following recommendations for reducing fatal accidents. First, a strategy for responding to fatal accidents that considers various causes and factors is needed. Second, response strategies should be tailored to each region and location. Third, a response strategy for early problem-solving is needed. Lastly, we need safety education based on the life cycle.

Stimulant Drug Using, Road Traffic Accidents, and Illegal Activities among Highway Drivers in Iraq in 2022: A Nation-Wide Cross-Sectional Survey

Background: Drug and stimulant abuse is especially common in low and middle- income countries, such as Iraq and certain populations, such as highway drivers. Moreover, Iraq has high rates of traffic and road accidents. Objective: Our objective was to assess the associations of using stimulants with traffic events among highway drivers in Iraq. Methods: We used a cross-sectional study design, in which a self-administered questionnaire was distributed online on different social media platforms. The study included male highway drivers who used drugs from all provinces of Iraq. The questionnaire consisted of demographic questions and an addiction questionnaire about stimulants specially validated for the Arabic language. We followed a convenience sampling method to recruit participants. Results: A total of 1700 participants from 18 provinces were included with a median (IQR) age of 34 (24:55) years. Around 58% used drugs for reasons other than medical indications, while 81% reported abusing prescription drugs. Amphetamine and cocaine were used by 52% and 20% of the participants, respectively. Around 84% of the drivers had at least 56 driving hours per week, while 87% were involved in illegal activities due to drug use. Most of the participants (78%) had accidents at least three times per month. Most of the participants had social and medical issues. Conclusion: Drug use, especially stimulant use, is a major contributor to road accidents and thus, increased morbidity and mortality rates in Iraq. Urgent policies and regulations are needed regarding the dispensing of drugs and the working hours of the drivers.

Coupling analysis of crane accident risks based on Bayesian network and the N-K model

Crane usage is pervasive on construction sites, however, it is associated with a notably high accident rate. The analyzing of crane accident risks is essential for accident prevention, control, and ensuring the safety of lifting operations. Hence, significant emphasis should be placed on understanding the interaction among various risk factors. This paper proposes a quantitative coupling method for human, machine, management, and environmental risk factors in crane accidents, leveraging Bayesian networks (BN) and the N-K model. Firstly, text mining technology and fault tree analysis are employed to analyze the causes of crane accidents and categorize the associate risk factors. Secondly, the types of risk coupling resulting from human, machine, management, and environmental risk factors are defined. Thirdly, the BN model is developed based on the analysis of crane accident risksand its N-K model. Fourthly, the parameters of the risk coupling nodes in the developed BN are determined based on the calculation results of the N-K model. Finally, for the risk coupling types with high coupling values and the first-level node and second-level node, the failure probability is analyzed through posterior probability and sensitivity analysis. The results indicate that factors related to man and management significantly impact crane accidents and warrant enhanced attention. The interplay among multiple risk factors significantly influences the probability of crane accidents, necessitating careful attention.

Regional passenger motor transport systems: problem statement, first estimation results

Relevance. Passenger road transport in the 90s of the last century showed a high rate of transition to new management methods. The subsequent streamlining of activities progressed unevenly, mainly through regulation. However, important problems in the development of the industry, especially in the regions, have not been resolved. A crisis situation in intra-regional inter-municipal transportation and a high accident rate are the example. To a large extent, this situation is caused by the lag of the modern interpretation of the regional passenger road transport system from its real state, which does not allow achieving the greatest effect in the development of passenger road transport. The purpose of the work is to increase the importance of regular passenger transportation based on the substantiation of the importance of the structural parts of regional passenger motor transport systems, the developed methodology for assessing their condition, and creating development rules taking this into account.Materials and methods. General scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, system analysis, mathematical statistics, as well as the provisions of the theory of transport processes and systems are used in the work. Modern general scientific software products, open information resources about passenger vehicles in the regions were used.Results. The main scientific result of the article is the introduced concept of a regional passenger motor transport system. For a quantitative assessment of its condition, an indicator of the level of system self-organization has been developed, which is determined by the ratio of the number of cars to the number of buses, trolleybuses and trams in the region. The values of the indicators are in the range from 74 to 543 with an average value of 277. The dependencies of the influence of gross regional products and the number of population in the regions on the number of buses and cars in them are revealed. The practical significance lies in the development of tools for assessing the state of regional passenger transport systems. The directions for further research to determine the influence of structural parts on the level of self-organization of the system, building on this basis effective regional strategies for the development of passenger road transport are related.

Political Commitment versus Industrial Reality: Unveiling the Dilemma of China’s Safety Production Regime in the 1950s

The 1950s witnessed high accident rates in China’s industrial workplaces. Previous scholarship has attributed this phenomenon to enterprises prioritizing production over safety and to the impotence of China’s labor unions in enforcing safety policies. This article proposes a third approach by exploring the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) mass-based safe production regime, which was designed for political struggle against capitalists as well as fulfilling its political commitments to workers, while also aiming to enhance safety. Consequently, China’s labor authorities often adopted a principle of absolving workers from accident responsibilities, often shifting blame to enterprise leaders. This approach was ineffective in preventing accidents. In addition, the party’s safety education policies fell short because they romanticized older workers as safety-conscious mentors to the younger workforce but overlooked the reality that these veterans were often more prone to accidents. The generational gap in China’s workforce also impeded the dissemination of safety knowledge and practices.

An analysis of causative factors for road accidents using partition around medoids and hierarchical clustering techniques

AbstractInsufficient progress in the development of national highways and state highways, coupled with a lack of public awareness regarding road safety, has resulted in prevalent traffic congestion and a high rate of accidents. Understanding the dominant and contributing factors that may influence road traffic accident severity is essential. This study identified the primary causes and the most significant target‐specific causative factors for road accident severity. A modified partitioning around medoids model determined the dominant road accident features. These clustering algorithms will extract hidden information from the road accident data and generate new features for our implementation. Then, the proposed method is compared with the other state‐of‐the‐art clustering techniques with three performance metrics: the silhouette coefficient, the Davies–Bouldin index, and the Calinski–Harabasz index. This article's main contribution is analyzing six different scenarios (different angles of the problem) concerning grievous and non‐injury accidents. This analysis provides deeper insights into the problem and can assist transport authorities in Tamil Nadu, India, in deriving new rules for road traffic. The output of different scenarios is compared with hierarchical clustering, and the overall clustering of the proposed method is compared with other clustering algorithms. Finally, it is proven that the proposed method outperforms other recently developed techniques.

A contribuição da Ergonomia para a segurança no trabalho

Abstract Introduction: while high-risk processes with high accident rates challenge safety, High Reliability Organization (HRO) achieve excellent indicators. In both cases, prevention seems to have reached a limit. In the former, because it seems powerless to generate prevention; in the latter, because it has been so successful that it seems impossible to reach greater levels. Objective: to highlight the contribution of Ergonomics to safety in these situations, pointing out unexplored possibilities such as design Ergonomics in man-machine integration (computerized systems). Method: comparative analysis of findings from ergonomic studies on production systems with high accident rates and HRO. Discussion: analysis of the motorcycle freight drivers’ activity revealed alternatives yet to be explored between unfavorable work relations and the perceived inevitability of accidents. The apparent limit of HRO can be overcome with recent advances in the analysis of situated action and cognition and by building debate spaces based on field experience. Collaborative design practices, which draw on worker experience to feed learning dynamics and technical reliability, remains a poorly explored possibility in Safety Engineering when it comes to computerized systems.

Managing Occupational Health and Safety Risks in Construction Projects to Achieve Social Sustainability – A Review of Literature

This systematic literature review aims to thoroughly examine the relationship between Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and project management in construction projects. The construction industry is known for its high accident rates among workers, and it is important to understand the factors that contribute to these accidents to develop effective OHS management practices. The review highlights the significance of legal compliance in OHS management and the challenges and opportunities presented by the integration of OHS laws in construction project management. One of the main factors that contribute to high accident rates among construction workers is inadequate training and a lack of proper safety equipment. The review also identifies common types of accidents and their factors on construction sites, such as falls from heights, electrical hazards, and heavy machinery accidents. Additionally, it suggests measures for improving OHS management practices, such as regular safety inspections and training programs, implementing safety policies and procedures, and providing proper personal protective equipment to workers. Overall, the research indicates that OHS is an essential aspect of construction project management, and effective OHS management can improve project performance by reducing accidents and injuries, improving worker morale and productivity, and enhancing the project’s reputation. The review provides insights on how to develop, implement and continuously improve OHS management practices in construction projects.

Road Safety Analysis and Public Perception Regarding the Bridge Construction Plan: A Case Study of the Bireuen-Takengon Road Segment in Aceh

Bener Meriah Regency has roads with a high accident rate, including the Bireuen-Takengon National Road from KM 045+000 to KM 047+000 in the Pintu Rime Gayo District. In 2022, there were 34 accidents on this road, resulting in 17 fatalities, 0 serious injuries, and 28 minor injuries. The material losses amounted to Rp. 222,000,000. This study assesses perceptions of the black spot on the road and the plan for constructing the Tajuk Enang-Enang Bridge. The research method includes a survey of geometric conditions and the distribution of questionnaires to 200 respondents. The data were analysed using factor analysis with SPSS software. The questionnaire consists of respondent characteristics and perceptions using a Likert scale with answer choices ranging from 1 to 4. The observation results indicate that many roads need to meet the standards, such as the right of way, space for monitoring roads, and road surfaces. Variable Q8 had the highest average score (3.78), while variable Q12 had the lowest average score (2.42). On average, respondents answered the questionnaire with a mean score of 3.07. The factor analysis results show that the construction of the Tajuk Enang-Enang Bridge affects the economy of the central region (variable weight of 0.825), road safety (variable weight of 0.819), and travel time (variable weight of 0.757).

Optimal geometry of the powered roof support’s operation

Monitoring the working parameters of powered roof support is an area for improvement in hard coal mining. The phenomena occurring during the operation generate many risks from difficult geological and mining conditions, leading to undesirable events. In addition, improper use of machinery and equipment results in a high accident rate in mining. Thus, monitoring the operation of machines in mining reduces accidents and losses resulting from stops and prevents unforeseen failures caused by operational and external factors. The paper presents the research results on the optimal geometry of the powered roof support operation in the mining wall. The research included the powered roof support’s essential elements’ operation. Sensors constituting the measuring system were installed on these elements. The measurements made by the sensors made it possible to determine the working height at a given stage of the section’s operation. The research was carried out in three sections, which were part of the powered roof support. The measurements were taken during actual changes occurring in the coal mining process.

Study of Factors Influencing Traffic Violations in Jakarta: Perspective of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in the Implementation of Electronic Traffic Law Enforcement (ETLE)

Transportation safety in Indonesia reflects its culture and modernity, but the high rate of traffic accidents indicates significant challenges. Data from IRSMS and Polda Metro Jaya reveal an increase in accidents and traffic violations, reinforcing the need for effective law enforcement. The implementation of ETLE, supported by Law No. 22 of 2009 on Road Traffic and Transportation and Law No. 19 of 2016 on Electronic Information and Transactions, is a strategic effort to improve law enforcement. However, its effectiveness in Jakarta context still requires in-depth evaluation. This thesis focuses on the psychological factors in the use of ETLE using the Theory of Planned Behavior. The analysis results show that factors such as self-confidence, anxiety, and influence of other drivers significantly contribute to the tendency of violations. With a beta coefficient of 0.029 and a t-statistic of 15.776, a holistic approach to road safety is required, involving infrastructure, law enforcement, driving education, and psychological aspects, to achieve the WHO target of reducing accidents by 50% in the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2031.

Increasing the environmental safety of the motor transport complex by optimizing traffic on emergency road sections

The article presents the results of using microscopic simulation modeling to optimize traffic on emergency sections of highways. It is shown that these areas are characterized not only by high rates of road traffic accidents, but also by large volumes of pollutant emissions from vehicle exhaust gases due to high traffic intensity, congestion, and imperfect road infrastructure. Based on the results of field studies, a simulation model of an emergency-hazardous section of the urban road network was developed, the adequacy of the model was proven, and virtual experiments were conducted. An option has been proposed to improve the environmental and traffic situation on the site by improving the technical means of organizing traffic. When implemented, because of an increase in throughput, there is a noticeable reduction in mass emissions of pollutants and an increase in the safety factor.

Latent toxoplasmosis, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes Simplex Virus infections and risk of motorcycle accidents: A case-control study in a county with a high rate of motorcycle injuries in Iran.

Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are among the most important issues worldwide. Several studies reported that infection with the neurotropic parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) increased the risk of car accidents. In this study, our objective was to investigate the possible associations among latent T. gondii, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) infections with the risk of motorcycle accidents in Jahrom (Fars Province), which is a county with a high rate of motorcycle accidents in Iran. In the setting of a case-control study; 176 motorcyclist men, including 88 survivors of motorcycle accidents and 88 motorcyclist without accidents, were considered as case and control groups, respectively. Rates of latent infections with T. gondii, CMV, and HSV were assessed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Eleven of 88 (12.5%) in the case group and 22 of 88 (25.0%) in controls were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies, this difference was statistically significant (OR = 0.42; CI: 0.19-0.95, p = 0.03). The general seroprevalence of CMV (94.3% in the case group vs. 87.5% in the control group, OR = 2.37; CI: 0.78-7.13, p = 0.12) and HSV (63.6% in the case group vs. 62.5% in the control group, OR = 1.05; CI: 0.57-1.94, p = 0.87) were not significantly different between the case and control groups. Although latent toxoplasmosis has been associated with traffic accidents in recent reports, we found a negative association between latent toxoplasmosis and motorcycle accidents among survivors of these accidents. As such, latent CMV and HSV infections did not differ significantly between the cases compared to the control groups.

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AMONG ADULTS IN WISCONSIN

Abstract Alcohol usage as we age can lead to worsening health conditions and higher rates of accidents. There have been mixed results on alcohol use in adulthood, and many of these studies use only one metric of alcohol consumption. With higher-than-average (55.1%) drinking rates in the United States, Wisconsin currently ranks third highest for adult alcohol consumption (64.4%), it is essential to understand age trends for nondrinking, binge drinking, and heavy drinking. Using 2021 data from the CDC, we examined a series of logistic regressions to determine age differences in alcohol consumption. First, whether a person had at least one drink in the past 30 days, odds ratios show that relative to older adults (65+), 45-to-64-year-olds are 1.35 times more likely, 25-to-44-year-olds are 1.72 times more likely, and 18–to-24-year-olds are 1.09 times more likely to have reported having at least one drink in the last 30 days. Second, binge drinking, odds ratios show that relative to older adults (65+), 45-to-64-year-olds are 2.95 more likely, 25-to-44-year-olds are 5.41 times more likely, and 18-to-24-year-olds are 3.86 times more likely to binge drink. Last, heavy drinking, odds ratios show that relative to older adults (65+), 45-to-64-year-olds are 1.84 more likely, 25-to-44-year-olds are 1.94 times more likely, and 18-to-24-year-olds are 1.71 times more likely to drink heavily. Implications of these results are examined more fully but include the adverse effects on health for young-to-middle-aged adults, the potential to die younger for heavy drinkers, and the positive effects of lower drinking rates in later adulthood.

THE GERMAN PERSPECTIVE ON THE DEPLOYMENT OF AUTOMATED VEHICLES

Automated mobility is an increasingly important area in road transport primarily due to high accident rates caused by human failure, the need for inclusion, and the emergence of sustainable transport. Road transport makes a major contribution not only to getting from point A to point B but also has a significant impact on the economy and employment. The purpose of this paper is an analysis of the different legal approaches to the deployment of automated vehicles in Germany and Slovakia. This paper first gives a brief overview of the functional safety legislation of automated vehicles, then focuses on its market surveillance and the role of the driver in automated vehicles.

Оценка реализации национальных проектов в сфере транспортной инфраструктуры (на примере регионов ЮФО)

The article analyzes the preliminary results of the implementation of the “Safe Quality Roads” and “Comprehensive Plan for the Modernization and Expansion of Main Infrastructure” projects, and identifies the regional features of their implementation for individual regions of the Southern Federal District - the Rostov region, the Krasnodar Territory, the Republic of Crimea. By 2022, the basic values ​​for individual target indicators have been achieved and, in general, given the existing positive dynamics in 2024, the rest will most likely be achieved. At the same time, project passports require revision taking into account regional characteristics. In Crimea, the share of roads that meet regulatory requirements is determined at a fairly low level - 38.8%, and with the current trend towards an increase in freight turnover, motorization, and tourist flow, road safety is significantly reduced, as evidenced by high accident rates. In this regard, target indicators for the quality of the road network should be revised upward. For the Rostov region, the federal project “Road Network” should include a list of agglomerations and for each of them the values ​​of basic indicators should be determined. Particular attention should be paid to the issue of transport support for small isolated settlements in all regional passports. “Safe Quality Roads” and “Comprehensive Plan for the Modernization and Expansion of Trunk Infrastructure” are labor-intensive and capital-intensive projects that require modern equipment and technologies. Infrastructure development will support the overall economic strategy. However, to achieve the assigned tasks, it is necessary to mobilize industrial production so that the modernization and creation of infrastructure is provided with domestic equipment and technologies. Based on the results of 2021, it can be argued that a qualitative transformation of the economy, accompanied by an acceleration in the growth rate of labor productivity, did not occur.

Factors Affecting the Well-Being at Work and Risk Perception of Construction Workers: A Validated Interpretative Structural Modeling (VISM) Approach

Despite increased safety investments in the civil construction sector, high accident rates persist, often due to workers’ intentional unsafe behaviors influenced by poorly understood psychological factors. This study utilized validated interpretative structural modeling (VISM), an innovative technique, to investigate factors impacting the well-being and risk perception of construction workers in the Brazilian Amazon. The VISM model was developed through five steps: (1) identification of indicators; (2) definition of constructs; (3) identification of relationships between constructs; (4) validation of these relationships; and (5) creation of the model. The results underscore the effectiveness of VISM in crafting complex models with robust statistical validity, even in studies with sample limitations and intricate or circular relationships among constructs. The research identified various factors in this phenomenon, such as the importance given by management to workplace safety, job dissatisfaction, work-related stress, turnover intention, work–family balance, alcohol and cigarette use, physical health, perception of accident risks at work, and education and training in workplace safety. Another significant contribution lies in the model’s ability to discern both direct and indirect relationships among these well-being factors. This insight enables the formulation of strategies to enhance worker well-being and reduce workplace accidents, particularly those stemming from intentional unsafe behaviors.

Analisis Kecelakaan Lalu Lintas Ruas Jalan Padang - Solok dengan Metode Accident Rate

The Padang-Solok road section is one of the national road sections that frequently experiences accidents every year. The aim of this research is to determine the factors that cause accidents on the Jalan Lubuk Paraku Sitinjau Lauik section based on the accident rate, and find out alternative prevention solutions future traffic accidents. This type of research is descriptive research using the Accident Rate method. The factors reviewed are the total number of accidents that occur and the length of the road section studied. An Accident Rate value > 1.0 will be classified as a Black Spot, while a value < 1.0 will be classified as a Black Site. The results of the accident analysis based on the Accident Rate can be identified in three road sections that show a high accident rate, namely more than 1.0. The highest accident rate was on the Panorama 2 – Padang-Solok City Limits road section at 2.37 accidents/km.year. The most dominant factor causing traffic accidents is the human factor. After an inspection was carried out, the brakes failed due to the large number of descents or steep inclines which made the car brakes not function properly. An alternative solution for preventing accidents is to create a temporary stopping place at the Padang - Solok city limits to cool down the engine and car brakes, repair traffic signs that are not yet permanent and create a special brake rescue lane for broken brakes at Panorama 2 and near the rice fields PU Mes.

Application of YOLO v5 and v8 for Recognition of Safety Risk Factors at Construction Sites

The construction industry has high accident and fatality rates owing to time and cost pressures as well as hazardous working environments caused by heavy construction equipment and temporary structures. Thus, safety management at construction sites is essential, and extensive investments are made in management and technology to reduce accidents. This study aims to improve the accuracy of object recognition and classification that is the foundation of the automatic detection of safety risk factors at construction sites, using YOLO v5, which has been acknowledged in several studies for its high performance, and the recently released YOLO v8. Images were collected through web crawling and labeled into three classes to form the dataset. Based on this dataset, accuracy was improved by changing epochs, optimizers, and hyperparameter conditions. In each YOLO version, the highest accuracy is achieved by the extra-large model, with mAP50 test accuracies of 94.1% in v5 and 95.1% in v8. This study could be further expanded for application in various management tools at construction sites to improve the work process, quality control, and progress management in addition to safety management through the collection of more image data and automation for accuracy improvement.