OBJECTIVE: The aim of the research was to assess the prevalence, effects and risk factors for motor vehicle accidents (MVA) in the years 2004-2017 in Poland.
METHOD: We merged secondary data from the Prevention and Analysis Office of Road Traffic Headquarters of Police and Central Statistical Office of Poland.
RESULTS: Our results suggest that several thousand people are killed on Polish roads annually, and tens of thousands are injured. Road crashes represent the leading cause of death for Polish men up to 44 years of age. The most common causes of road crashes in Poland include failure to comply with the road traffic rules and low driving skills. We also found drivers who poorly assessed road situations, roads characterized by a lack of adequate road infrastructure, and many vehicles in poor condition. Road crashes have become a significant public health and social problem globally. Drivers caused most MVA in Poland in the years 2004-2017, whereas the underlying cause was inadequate speed regarding the road traffic condition as well as not respecting the right-of-way. Despite various measures that are being taken to improve safety on Polish roads, the number of the dead and wounded as a result of road accidents is still high and the losses to the society are considerable as well.
CONCLUSION: It is necessary to continue multidirectional actions to improve safety on the roads in Poland resulting in a systematic increase in the level of road traffic security.