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

Abstract

Run-Off-Road (ROR) crash occurs when a vehicle leave the lane resulting in a collision. ROR crashes in recent years have become a major cause of serious injuries and fatalities. Data from Kansas Crash and Analysis Reporting System (KCARS) database during the period 2007 to 2011 were used in this study to examine the ROR crashes. Identification of various characteristics such as 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 or slow; ill, falling asleep or fatigued; or animal at the road is more common on rural roadways than urban roadways.