Analysis of Pedestrian Accidents in Irbid City, Jordan

Al-Omari, Bashar H.; Obaidat, Eman S. · 2013 · Crossref

DOI: 10.2174/1874447801307010001

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Summary

This study addresses the growing concern of pedestrian accidents in developing countries, specifically focusing on Irbid City, Jordan. Motivated by statistics indicating that pedestrians accounted for 32.5% of traffic fatalities and 23.8% of injuries in Jordan in 2010, the research aims to analyze the characteristics of these accidents to inform safety improvements. Irbid was selected as a representative urban area due to its large population and role as a transportation hub. The methodology involved analyzing 1,090 pedestrian accident reports collected from the Jordanian Traffic Directorate and Public Security Headquarters over a three-year period (1999–2001). The researchers utilized Geographic Information System (GIS) software to map accident locations and correlate them with specific environmental and infrastructural characteristics. The analysis examined multiple variables, including pedestrian and driver demographics (age, gender, license type), accident timing (hour, day, month), location type (intersection, mid-block, bus terminal), environmental conditions (weather, illumination, road surface), vehicle characteristics, speed limits, and specific faults attributed to both pedestrians and drivers. The results revealed distinct patterns in accident occurrence. Spatially, 69.4% of accidents occurred at mid-block locations rather than intersections, attributed to higher speeds and unorganized traffic. Temporally, accidents peaked during daylight hours, particularly between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM, on Thursdays, and during the month of July. Environmental conditions were predominantly clear weather, dry surfaces, and daylight illumination. Demographically, male pedestrians accounted for 72.3% of victims, with children under 15 years old exhibiting the highest relative involvement rates per population. The majority of victims were struck while crossing the road. Regarding drivers, 97.5% were male, with young drivers (18–30 years old) comprising 48% of those involved. Small passenger cars were responsible for 73.4% of accidents. Crucially, the most frequent driver fault was "not giving priority to pedestrians" (37%), while most accidents occurred on roads with low speed limits of 40 km/h (65.2%) and 50 km/h (27.8%). Most incidents resulted in slight or medium injuries. The significance of this study lies in its detailed characterization of pedestrian accident risks in a developing urban context. The findings highlight that despite low speed limits, driver failure to yield and mid-block crossing behaviors are primary contributors to accidents. The high vulnerability of children and the prevalence of accidents during peak afternoon hours suggest specific targets for intervention. The authors conclude that traffic safety programs in Irbid and similar urban areas should focus on enforcing driver priority rules, improving mid-block crossing facilities, and targeting young drivers and children through education and enforcement.

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