This article describes the work of multidisciplinary road accident investigation teams in Finland. Examples of their findings, and the legislative amendments made as a result of these findings are also provided. The teams produce in depth studies of most fatal and a selection of injury accidents in Finland. They are jointly organized by the traffic safety committee of insurance companies (valt) and various official bodies such as the Ministry of Transport and communications and the mobile police. There are now 13 teams, one in each province, and one in the capital. Each team includes a traffic police officer, a vehicle engineer, a road engineer, a physician, a psychologist and a railway specialist. Expenses are met by valt. The current method of investigation is that team members fill out standard investigation forms on all the parties involved in the accident, irrespective of whether or not the data appear relevant in the circumstances of the case. This information is pieced together and analysed. The accident is reconstructed using computer software that calculates a schedule detailing the sequence of events at one second intervals. A detailed report is produced which includes a description of the accident, details of personal injuries sustained, and the use of safety equipment as well as suggested improvements and ideas.
Language: en
", language="en", issn="0345-5564", doi="", url="http://dx.doi.org/" }