Effect of Periodic Technical Inspections of Vehicles on Traffic Accidents in the Slovak Republic

Hudec, Juraj; Šarkan, Branislav · 2022 · Crossref

DOI: 10.26552/com.c.2022.3.a142-a159

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Summary

This study investigates the relationship between periodic technical inspections (TI) of vehicles and traffic accidents caused by vehicle technical defects in the Slovak Republic. The research aims to assess the justification for mandatory TI systems regarding road safety, addressing ongoing debates about whether these inspections provide negligible benefits or significantly reduce accident rates. While global literature suggests TI systems can reduce accident rates by 5% to 21%, the effectiveness is difficult to measure due to varying methodologies and confounding factors. This paper specifically examines the impact of TI on accidents in Slovakia, analyzing data on accident causation and the timing of inspections relative to accident occurrence. The authors utilized statistical data from the Presidium of the Police Force of the Slovak Republic covering traffic accidents from 2012 to 2020, with detailed analysis of accidents caused by technical defects from 2016 to 2020. Additionally, data from the Slovak central automated information system of technical inspections was used to correlate inspection results with accident rates. The study employed MS Excel and Data Analysis tools for correlation and regression analysis. The research focused on two main aspects: the incidence of accidents in the period between inspections and their expiration, and the effect of inspection outcomes (classified as temporarily roadworthy or not roadworthy) on accident numbers. The findings indicate that periodic technical inspections have a measurable positive effect on road safety in Slovakia. First, the probability of traffic accidents due to technical defects increases as the validity period of the technical inspection approaches its end. Second, there is an inverse relationship between the number of vehicles assessed as temporarily roadworthy or not roadworthy at inspection stations and the number of accidents caused by technical defects; as more vehicles are flagged for defects, accident rates decrease. In terms of specific defects, tire damage with sudden air leakage was the most common cause of accidents (90 cases), followed by wheel failure (44 cases) and steering failure (31 cases). The study also notes that Slovak statistics likely underreport accidents caused by technical defects due to strict classification criteria that often attribute such incidents to driver error rather than vehicle condition. The significance of this research lies in its demonstration that mandatory periodic technical inspections are justified by their demonstrable impact on reducing traffic accidents caused by vehicle defects. The results support the view that TI systems effectively remove dangerous defects from the vehicle fleet, thereby enhancing road safety. The study highlights the importance of regular inspections in maintaining vehicle safety standards and suggests that the Slovak system, despite statistical reporting limitations, contributes to accident prevention. These findings contribute to the broader discourse on the efficacy of vehicle inspection regimes, providing evidence-based support for their continuation and potential improvement.

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