Factors associated with rural run-off-road and urban run-off road crashes: a study in the United States

Abstract

A Run-Off-Road (ROR) crash occurs when a vehicle leaves the travel lane resulting in a collision. ROR crashes have become a major cause of serious injuries and fatalities in the United States. Data from Kansas Crash and Analysis Reporting System database during the period 2007 to 2011 were used in this study to examine ROR crashes. Identification of various characteristics related to environment, roadway, driver, and vehicle as well as factors contributing to rural ROR and urban ROR crashes is important because potential countermeasures can be developed to improve roadside safety. It was found that avoidance/evasive actions; driver being ill, falling asleep or fatigued; or animal at the road are more common on rural roadways than urban roadways, leading to ROR crashes.