Articles

Accident Analysis and Prevention 39 (2007) 491–499

Errors and violations in relation to motorcyclists’ crash risk
Mark A. Elliott a,∗ , Christopher J. Baughan b , Barry F. Sexton b a Department of Psychology, University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom b Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), United Kingdom

Received 28 July 2006; received in revised form 25 August 2006; accepted 30 August 2006

Abstract This study was conducted to: (a) develop a questionnaire that reliably measures the behaviour of motorcyclists and (b) test which types of behaviour predict motorcyclists’ crash risk. A Motorcycle Rider Behaviour Questionnaire (MRBQ), consisting of 43 items to measure the self-reported frequency of specific riding behaviours, was developed and administered to a sample of motorcyclists (N = 8666). Principal components analysis revealed a 5-factor solution (traffic errors, control errors, speed violations, performance of stunts and use of safety equipment). Generalised linear modelling showed that, while controlling for the effects of age, experience and annual mileage, traffic errors were the main predictors of crash risk. For crashes in which respondents accepted some degree of blame, control errors and speed violations were also significant predictors of crash risk. Implications of the findings are discussed in relation to deciding which countermeasures may be most effective at reducing motorcycle casualty rates. © 2006 Mark A. Elliott. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Motorcycle Rider Behaviour Questionnaire (MRBQ); Errors; Violations; Motorcycle; Crash risk

1. Introduction Statistics for Great Britain show that motorcyclists are more at risk of being killed or injured in road traffic crash than any other type of vehicle users. In 2004, there were over 550 motorcycle riders (including moped riders) killed in road crashes, 6281 killed or seriously injured (KSI) and over 24,300 involved in recorded injury (all severities) crashes

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