ACCIDENTS WITH VANS AND BOX-TYPE TRUCKS (TRANSPORTERS): RESULTS FROM OFFICIAL STATISTICS AND REAL-LIFE CRASH ANALYSES 2001-06-0002

Everyone who is ordering goods via catalogue or internet initialises the use of a van or box-type truck (so called transporter) for delivery close to the front door. Increasing needs lead to an increasing number of such vehicles on the road and corresponding increasing number of accidents. In Germany there is a considerable increase in the frequency of registered goods vehicles with a maximum permissible weight less than 7.5 t and of accidents with involvement of these vehicles in the long term since the end of the 80ies. Transporters are the majority within this vehicle category. With this background the accident research unit of DEKRA started to study real world crashes with involved transporters.

A result of the study is that transporters drive and collide at similar speeds as cars but only 20 % of the transporter drivers wear seat belts.

Transporters collide most frequently with passenger cars. The study shows that the frontal impact with oncoming traffic is the most frequent group. In 10 % of the analysed accidents the opposing vehicle of the transporter is a truck. This accident group causes very often severe or fatal injuries to the transporter occupants. Single vehicle accidents of transporters are also momentous for the occupants. Last but not least transporters also cause accident consequences for the opponents.

One of the main working area of transporters is the delivery traffic. Due to the operation area they are mostly driving and colliding in local area. The number of accidents involving transporters inside urban area is twice often as accidents outside urban area. The most frequent road users in local area are the so-called unprotected, pedestrians and bicyclists, who suffer severe consequences.