Risk Factors Affecting the Severity of Single Vehicle Rear-End Crash

Abstract

Rear-end crashes are one of the most common types of road accidents. A road traffic accident resulted from the combination of factors related to the few components of the system involving driver, vehicle, work zone, and the interaction between those systems. This study aimed to investigate the contributing factors affecting the severity of single-vehicle rear-end crash in Malaysia. The primary database from 2015–2018 used in this study was gathered from Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement (JSPT), the department under The Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) Pol 27. Unique risk factors associated with each of the vehicle types were identified using logistic regression models. The results showed that four variables are significantly affecting the severity of rear-end crashes. The type of vehicle and vehicle part damage are categorized as vehicle characteristics; while the speed limit and the crash zone are related to work zone characteristics. The findings of this study are anticipated to benefit local authorities in taking pro-active actions to prevent and attenuate the severity of road accidents.