Accident Analysis

Fleet Managers should assure that there is an effective accident analysis programs in place. Effective accident analysis programs provide:

• A system which assures accurate and timely reporting of all accidents and injuries
• Personnel to analyze accident reports to ascertain trends and areas in need of corrective action
• Requirements for responsible staff to institute appropriate corrective action to prevent future accidents
• Data to calculate the fleet's accident frequency rate (number of accidents in year multiplied by 1,000,000 divided by total fleet mileage)
• Data to identify preventable accidents
• Data to calculate accident costs.

Common Accident Factors in Accident Analysis

The National Safety Council has identified these accident factors which are usually selected for accident analysis:

• Date of accident
• Date reported
• Name of driver
• Age of driver
• Length of service of driver
• Hours on duty
• Driver's home terminal or usual work location
• Weather conditions
• Light conditions
• Road conditions
• Accident location
• Direction traveling
• Type of accident
• Vehicle type
• Vehicle number
• Time of day of accident
• Traffic violation
• Other vehicle type
• Vehicle speed versus posted speed limit
• Pedestrian(s) involved
• Property damage
• Vehicle or object struck
• Driver striking vehicle or object
• Responsibility for accident
• Failure by driver
• Cost of accident.

After analysis, the Federal Fleet Manager knows the who, what, why, when , where of the accident - key information, if applied property, for future accident prevention.

Source: Adapted from the Federal Fleet Management Desk Reference

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