Influence of road lighting on trafic safety issues

Abstract

More than half of pedestrians and every fifth bicyclist are killed or injured on roads during the nighttime or twilight. The research of various countries shows that in unlighted areas the number of fatal accidents at night is three times higher then in the daytime. Statistical accident data shows that almost 40 % of road accidents occur during the nighttime. Though traffic volume at that time of the day is lower the accidents are more severe since more people are killed. Road safety depends on various factors including the amount and quality of road safety measures. Road lighting is one of the most effective measures to reduce the number of accidents during the nighttime the effect of which is based on the research conducted in Lithuania and other foreign countries.