Road safety in two european megacities: London and Paris

Abstract

This study examined road safety in two European megacities, London and Paris. Patterns of fatal crashes (both cities) and all crashes (London only) were compared with crash patterns for each respective nation as a whole. The data for London and the U.K. came from the Department for Transport, and included detailed crash data from 2005 to 2011. The data for Paris and France came from ONISR, and included summaries of fatal crashes from 2007 to 2011. The results indicate that population demographics and traffic crashes in these two megacities tend to differ in numerous aspects when compared to the respective national averages. Traffic crash patterns differed on aspects related to when and where crashes occur, who is involved, number of vehicles involved, weather and light conditions, and pre-crash driver actions. Similarities and differences between these two European megacities and two U.S. megacities (New York and Los Angeles) are also discussed.