Pre-crash characteristics of Motorised Two Wheelers in Indian Crashes

Motorized two-wheelers (M2Ws) represent the most affected road users in India, account for 45% of all fatalities in road crashes as per government data. Despite this, most research has focused on injury outcomes rather than the events leading up to these crashes. This study addresses the gap by analyzing pre-crash characteristics of M2W incidents using the Road Accident Sampling System-India (RASSI) database, which provides in-depth, scientifically collected crash data from across India. RASSI data was analysed to identify the pre-crash characteristics of M2W crashes such as the road structure, crash configurations, vehicle speeds, and specifically behavioural characteristics of M2W riders. A total of 3862 M2W samples were analysed over the period of 2011-2022 that represent 51,00,211 M2Ws nationally. The results show that although M2Ws have highest involvement in side/angle (‘T-bone’) crashes, Head-on crashes are the most severe crashes for M2Ws with 22% fatalities. The results also show that self-fall crashes i.e. crash involving M2Ws falling down without contact also contribute 18% of M2W occupant fatalities. The analysis reveals that the most common collision partners for M2Ws are passenger cars followed by other M2Ws and trucks. Pre-crash travel speeds for M2Ws shows that M2Ws were traveling at 40kmph or below in 76% of the cases. Rider behaviour pre-crash analysis shows that ‘Turning suddenly without indication’ and ‘Overtaking on undivided roads’ are the most common rider behaviours exhibited before a crash. In addition, parameters such as the relative speeds between the vehicles, relative approach directions between collision partners, possible vision obstructions, and avoidance characteristics were also analysed. The findings underscore the need for targeted pre-crash interventions to address the common and severe crash configurations involving two-wheelers on Indian roads. This research highlights the importance of in-depth crash investigation data from India for developing effective safety strategies tailored to the Indian context. Keywords: Motorised Two-Wheelers, Pre-Crash, RASSI