Title: Impact of vehicle-related factors on speed selection and accident severity rates

Authors: Charles Atombo; Richard Fiifi Turkson; Maxwell Selase Akple

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ho Technical University, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ho Technical University, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ho Technical University, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana

Abstract: We investigated the impact of vehicle-related factors on speed at which accidents occur and accident severity rates. To achieve the objectives of the study, incident rate ratio effects were considered. The data was collected from the Ghana Police Motor Transport and Traffic Department accident database, vehicle owners, garages of auto-mechanics and welders in Ghana. The result shows that engine capacity, vehicle type and type of drive had significant impact on rates of accident severity. Additionally, the effect of engine capacity, vehicle age, vehicle type and type of drive on the speed at which accidents occur was also highly significant. An increase in speed and accident severity rates was explained primarily by high-engine capacity, 4WDs, AWDs and the size of vehicles. Again, an increase in vehicle age increased injuries. Therefore, it is important for authorities to strengthen the enforcement of traffic rules to control drivers' aggression speed and reduce accidents.

Keywords: vehicle factors; speed; accident severity rates; negative binomial regression; Ghana.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVS.2022.129621

International Journal of Vehicle Safety, 2022 Vol.12 No.3/4, pp.210 - 225

Received: 31 Oct 2021
Accepted: 10 Feb 2022
Published online: 17 Mar 2023 *