Road Accident Investigation Teams in Finland Jaakko Rahja Managing Director, M.Sc.

2 Basic facts Finland; 5,3 million people, km 2 3,4 million cars, Number of fatal accidents has been (in 1970’s) more than / y, now less than 300 The goal: number of fatal accidents should be 100 in 2025 Road Accident Investigations Teams. Goals :Prevent accidents Reduce serious consequences Produce safety recommendations All fatal road traffic accidents are investigated Method for investigating has revised many times, latest VALT Method from 2003

Fatal road traffic accidents in Nordic Countries

4 Road Accident Investigation Teams Work started already in 1968 (first team) Covered the whole country 1976 Legislation in 2001 Steered by the Road Accident Investigation Delegation Manages by Finnish Motor Insurers’ Centre Financed by a road safety charge (less than 0,5 €/car), which is needed to pay when paying obligatory car insurance

5 Investigation Teams 20 multidisciplinary teams, members –Police officer –Vehicle specialist –Road specialist –Physician –Behavioural scientist Independent –No stand on guilt or insurance compensation Standardised investigation forms

6 1. Step Analysis - What happened? Key event –Description of what took place and where –Immediately before the accident An example: –“A vehicle drifting left in front of an approaching bus on a straight road”

7 2. Step Why did it happen? Risk factors –Immediate risk factors (active) Road user (e.g. seizure, observational error) Vehicle (e.g. puncture) Environment (e.g. deceptive verge on a road) –Background risk factors Road user (e.g. haste, inexperience) Vehicle (e.g. loading, shades) Environment (e.g. weather, visual guidance) System (e.g. driver training system)

8 3. Step Why were there serious consequences? –Injury risk factors Vehicle (e.g. weak bodywork) Environment (e.g. trees, missing railings) Use of safety equipment (e.g. incorrect use)

9 4. Step How could similar accidents be prevented? Preventative possibilities Safety recommendations

10 5. Step Results of investigation Investigation report Investigation folder Accident database Wide use of collected data –Reports –Research –Statements –Training –Etc.

11 Conclusions In-depth on-the-spot method is an essential tool for detailed information collection Co-operation between authorities Important part of Finnish road safety work

12 Meet You in the 29th Winter Road Congress February 2012 Tampere, Finland * Congress (English-Finnish) * Exhibition * Demonstrations * Program for students * Social program Organized by Finnish Road Association Finnish Transport Agency City of Tampere

13 Thank You!