This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Speed Limit Reduction from 60 to 50 km/h and Pedestrian Injuries
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
Impact speed is the major parameter for the causation of pedestrian injuries. After the introduction of a 50 km/h speed limit, reduced from 60 km/h in the city of Zurich, the incidence of car-pedestrian accidents was cut by 16%, the number of injured pedestrians by 20% (p =< .01), and the fatalities by 25%. These are results of an investigation of a complete sample of 946 car-pedestrian accidents in Zurich during two years, one before and one after the introduction of the lower speed limit. The most pronounced reduction was seen with victims rated MAIS 5 (decline of 86%). A detailed analysis of the ISS categories is given in terms of mortality and survival time. Fractures of the ribs and the pelvis were reduced by 50%. Special attention is given to impact speed. Due to a 36% lower overall hospital related treatment period the medical expenses were cut considerably. The analysis revealed that virtually the whole reduction should be attributed to the lower speed limit and not to other parameters such as the number of inhabitants or cars registered, cost of gas, etc.
Recommended Content
Technical Paper | Towards “Vision Zero” |
Technical Paper | Limitations of an Integral Safety Concept in Longitudinal Traffic to Meet Vision Zero |
Technical Paper | Thoracic Impact: A Viscous Tolerance Criterion |
Authors
Topic
Citation
Waiz, F., Hoefliger, M., and Fehlmann, W., "Speed Limit Reduction from 60 to 50 km/h and Pedestrian Injuries," SAE Technical Paper 831625, 1983, https://doi.org/10.4271/831625.Also In
References
- Sella A.F. Reinfurth D.W. The Effects of the Lowered Maximum Speed Limit and Fuel Shortage on Highway Safety in North Carolina. DOT-HS-4-00897(SY085) 1974
- Lenz K.H. Speed Limit Experiments in the Federal Republic of Germany Traffic Speed and Casualties Odense University Press 1975
- Teichgräber W. Die Bedeutung der Geschwin-digkeit fur die Verkehrssicherheit Z. Verkehrssich. 29 2 53 63 1983
- Heckand R.F. Pachuta J.A. Haight F.A. Safety Aspects of the National 55 MPH Speed Limit Pennsylvania Transp. Institute 1976
- Stürtz G. Traumatic and Cost Mainpoints … and Aggressivity and Cost of Injuries by Vehicle Front Shapes and Elements in Real Pedestrian Accidents SAE paper 770941 1977
- Ashton S.J. Pedder J.B. Mackay G.M. Pedestrian Injuries and the Car Exterior SAE paper 77092 1977
- Itoh M. Analysis of Pedestrian Accidents Taken From a Road Traffic Accident Investigation Proceedings, 7th RSV Conference 1979
- IAU (Interdisziplinäre Arbeitsgruppe für Unfallmechanik) Das Fusgängerunfallgeschehen in der Stadt Zürich 1978/79. University/ETH Zurich 1981
- Tharp K.J. Tsongos N.G. Injury Severity Factors - Traffic Pedestrian Collisions SAE paper 770093 1977
- Schmidt Gg. Verletzungsschwere und Aufprallgeschwindigkeit Unfallheilk 132 24 29 1978
- Svensson A. Experiences of Speed Restrictions in Sweden In Traffic Speed and Casualties Odense University Press 1975
- Swiss Federal Department of Police Versuch Tempo 50 2. Zwischenbericht. Bern March 1982
- Swiss Federal Department of Police Versuch Tempo 50 Schlussbericht. Bern March 1983
- Walz F. Fussgangerverletzungen in Zurich bei Tempo 60 and während des Versuchs ‘Tempo 50’ 101 117 1982
- Weinreich M. Der Verkehrsunfall des Fuss-gangers Unfallheilk 135 1979
- Stürtz G. Suren E. Gotzen L. Richter K. Analyse von Bewegungsablauf, Verletzungsursache, -schwere und -folge bei Fussgangerunfallen mit Kindern durch Unfallforschung am Unfallort Proceedings, IRC0BI Conference 1 19 1974
- AI5 (The Abbreviated Injury Scale) The American Association for Automotive Medicine (AAAM, 1982)
- Baker S.P., et al. The Injury Severity Score. A Method of Describing Patients with Multiple Injuries and Evaluating Emergency Care J. Trauma 14, 187-96 1974
- Mittmeyer H.J. Fischer H. Traumatisierung und Ueberlebenszeit beim tödlichen Verkehrsunfall Zentralbl. Rechtsmed. 24, 8, 648 1982
- Danner M. Langwieder K. Collision Characteristics and Injuries to Pedestrians in Real Accidents Proceedings, 7th ESV Conference 1979
- Appel H., et al. Influence of Impact Speed and Vehicle Parameters on Injuries of Children and Adults in Pedestrian Accidents Proceedings, IRC0BI Conference 1975
- Hutchinson T. Factors Affecting the Times Till Death of Pedestrians Killed in Road Accidents Injury 6 208 12 1975
- Niedeѓer P. Schlumpf M. Mesqui F. Hartmann P.A. The Reliability of Anthropometric Test Devices, Cadavers and Mathematical Models as Pedestrian Surrogates SAE paper 830184 SAE Inc Warrendale, PA 15096, USA. Book Nr. 121 1983
- Stadtpolizei Zürich Versuch Tempo 50, Satellit Stadt Zürich Schlussbericht December 1982
- Kamiyama S. Schmidt Gg. Relations Between Collision Speed, Car Damage, Fractures and Distance of Projection in Fifty Cases of Pedestrian-Car Accidents J. Legal Med 67 282 1970
- Peugeot Automobiles La securite automobile et les consequences de la crise economique Proceedings, 7th ESV Conference 1979
- Ashton S.J. A Preliminary Assessment of the Potential for Pedestrian Injury Reduction Through Vehicle Design Proceedings, 24th Stapp Car Crash Conference 607 33 1980
- Brun F., et al A Synthesis of Available Data for Improvement of Pedestrian Protection Proceedings, 7th ESV Conference 1979
- Kaeser R. Devaud J.M. Design Aspects of Energy Absorption in Car Pedestrian Impacts SAE paper 830625 SAE Inc. Warrendale, PA 15096, USA. Book Nr. 121 1983
- Ashton S.J. A Bibliography of Pedestrian Accident Reference With Emphasis on Vehicle Design and Pedestrian Injuries. In: Pedestrian Impact Injury and Assessement SAE Inc. Warrendale, PA 15096, USA. Book Nr. 121 1983