Executive Summary Today there are approximately 26,000 road fatalities in the EU each year. 15 % of these are HGV-related. The EU target is to reduce traffic fatalites by 50 % b etween 2010 and 2020. The pace of reduction has stagnated and the target is currently in jeopardy. HGV – heavy goods vehicle VRU – vulnerable road users pedestrians, cyclists, moped riders and motorcyclists Research since 1969 Volvo Trucks Accident Research Team (ART) has investigated truck accidents since 1969. This knowledge in combination with deep understanding of European accident statistics is important in the development of safer traffic solutions. Accident-causing factors Accident scenarios are complex – an accident seldom has one single cause. The interacting factors that lead up to an accident can be grouped into three categories: Human factors, Environment and Vehicle. Smartphones steal attention 17% of all pedestrians use their smartphones while crossing roads and fail to pay attention to the traffic situation. HGV-related fatalities The number of fatalities in HGV accidents totalled 3,863 in 2014. 13 % 6 % 49 % 32 % 499 fatalities 1,898 fatalities 1,230 fatalities Accidents causing fatalities to heavy goods vehicle occupants Accidents causing fatalities to car occupants Accidents causing fatalitiesto vulnerable road users 236 fatalities Other HGV-related fatalities Of the 1,230 VRU fatalities: 53 % involved pedestrians 22 % involved cyclists 25 % involved moped riders or motorcyclists of non-belted HGV occupants w ould have survived if their seat belts had been properly used. Although drink-driving is a concern and remains a priority, research shows that it is a bigger challenge with car drivers than with HGVdrivers.
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