RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The global motorcycle market has grown significantly, with over 770 million vehicles estimated to be in use worldwide. Motorcycle-related road traffic deaths in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Colombia are concerning, comprising 30% of all reported fatalities. Cartagena has an average of 70 motorcycle-related deaths annually between 2019 and 2022, making it a high-risk area for motorcyclists. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to identify factors associated with motorcyclist safety at unsignalized three-legged and four-legged intersections in Cartagena by observing the behavior of the motorcyclists and the analysis of the potential traffic conflicts. The observational analysis focused on the access of motorcyclists from a secondary road to a main road since it is the behavior offered by the most significant road interaction and the potential risk of traffic conflicts due to crossing. METHODS: The observational process was consolidated at ten three-legged intersections and seven four-legged intersections. Thirty-six hours of videos were collected considering different time slots and weekdays randomly distributed during September 2019 and March 2020. The selection of the intersections included different vehicular flows and road safety conditions. The variables considered in the study were: interaction with other road users, motorcyclist behavior, vehicle handling, potential distractors, and safety elements. The study used the Swedish Traffic Conflict Technique to analyze conflict analysis, incorporating the Post Encroachment Time (PET) measurement. The analysis was developed with descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The collected variables were analyzed individually (frequency analysis), and contrasts were conducted with the PET values. The study evaluated associations between motorcycles and other motorized road actors at intersections about behaviors and crossroads. RESULTS: In the Records, 10,281 motorcycle accesses at three and four-Legged Intersections were interactions with other road users, where 2417 and 1903 resulted in potential traffic conflicts, respectively. Average potential conflicts per hour were 115 and 127 at three and four-legged intersections. At the two intersections, the average PET values in motorcycles were between 2.09 and 2.10 s, while in the other motorized road users, it averaged around 2.67 to 2.71 s. In the road conditions, it was identified that intersections with a traffic flow of<10,000 vehicles/day and poor visibility to the left of the intersection lead to more unsafe conditions for motorcyclists. Motorcycle taxi drivers were the user group most frequently involved in traffic conflicts. Actions on the part of motorcyclists, such as risky behaviors, not using helmets, not using turn signals, and not waiting patiently for access, showed a relationship with the potential for traffic conflicts. Finally, turns to the left, particularly the indirect turn to the left on the opposite road, showed a greater risk of traffic conflicts. CONCLUSIONS: The study found that motorcycles exhibit more severe traffic conflicts than motorized vehicles at intersections. Infrastructure conditions significantly impact the risk of intersection conflicts. Individual behaviors such as not stopping at intersections and driving recklessly increased the risk of traffic conflicts. The study recommends improving infrastructure such as visibility and signaling and implementing separators to reduce travel speed and traffic conflicts for motorcycles.
Assuntos
Acidentes de Trânsito , Assunção de Riscos , Humanos , Acidentes de Trânsito/prevenção & controle , Colômbia , Motocicletas , ViagemRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the association between behavioral factors and crashes of motorcycle taxi riders using the Motorcycle Rider Behavior Questionnaire (MRBQ). METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional survey of motorcycle taxi riders in Cartagena. The MRBQ was adapted to the socio-cultural context and contained 45 items. The survey was conducted between February 2019 and May 2019. The items of the MRBQ were processed using factor analysis. Four logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between behavioral factors and aspects of demographics, operating conditions, and experiencing near-crashes, crashes, traffic tickets, and at-fault crashes. RESULTS: Four hundred and thirty-eight motorcyclists participated. The exploratory factor analysis extracted five elements: stunts, speed violations, traffic errors, control errors, and safety, explaining 42% of the variance. The increase in riding per week showed significant differences with stunts, speed violations, and traffic errors. Riding experiences, traffic errors, control errors, and safety were significantly associated with crashes and near-crashes. Stunts were the strongest factors related to traffic tickets. Speed violations were the strongest factors associated with at-fault accidents. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed recent results considering behavioral, exposure, and operational conditions in a group of motorcycle taxi riders. The study recommends some practical implications for the well-being of motorcyclists and road safety.
Assuntos
Acidentes de Trânsito , Motocicletas , Colômbia , Estudos Transversais , Humanos , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
In 2016, Colombia's position regarding motorcyclist fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants was tenth worldwide and second in South America. In the seven years from 2012-2018, the proportion of deceased and injured motorcyclists among all road users was 50%. To analyse the significant aspects of the accident rate of motorcyclists in Colombia from 2016 to 2018 and estimate cost social value of motorcycle-related deaths. The global numbers of fatalities and injuries were compared to the Colombian context. Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted to explore the association of fatal trauma and motorcycle accidents. P values and odds ratios were calculated. Bogotá, Cali, and Medellín were the cities with the most accidents. The month, day, time, age of the victims, and climatic conditions had a statistically significant association with the fatal trauma. Most victims were between the ages of 20-29 years. Motorcycles were involved in more than 60% of accidents. The social cost of a life lost in a motorcycle accident was estimated at $2,418 million Colombian pesos (725,400 USD) per year. The establishment of countermeasures for the road safety of vulnerable users should focus on associated causal factors in order to develop strategies to effectively reduce the number of accidents.