Road Transport Accident Analysis from A System-Based Accident Analysis Approach Using Swiss Cheese Model

Abstract

Road safety has become a major concern to both developed and developing countries due to its negative economic impacts. Although, numerous approaches of accident analysis have been conducted, there seem to be an increase in road crashes every year. The main aim of this study is to analyse a driving school accident using a system-based accident analysis approach. The data for the study was collected using an interview. A Swiss Cheese Accident Causation Model was used to identify the factors that contributed to the accident. The study identified four weaknesses in the system defences of the driving school that created a possible accident trajectory. It is concluded that adopting system-based accident analysis approach in analysing road transport accidents, could lead to a greater understanding of latent conditions and road user error, which in turn could inform the development of intervention strategies within a road transport domain as suggested by other studies. Finally, the short falls of using only person approach of accident analysis in road transport domain are also highlighted.