Spanish frontal accidents of buses & coaches. Injury mechanism analysis

The buses and coaches are the safest means of transportation. Nevertheless, several severe accidents occur creating a high public concern. During the last years, the international community has developed a spectacular activity related to the definition of new regulations for improving the passive safety in buses and coaches. The effectiveness of these regulations will be based on their influence in real accidents, and especially on the reduction of injuries. It can be demonstrated that the implementation of R66 has reduced significantly the severity of rollover accidents of buses and coaches in Spain. Nevertheless, and instead of all above mentioned, there is still not any regulation about frontal collision safety on these vehicles. The aim of the study presented in this paper is to identify the main injury mechanisms in buses and coaches frontal collisions that have occurred in Spain over the last years. The study is based on an in-depth analysis using a buses and coaches accident database including highly detailed information, retrospective investigation, reconstruction, police reports and medical records with injury description and mechanisms. Real world accidents were considered, in depth-analyzed by the Accident Research Unit of INSIA and investigated in collaboration with the Police Forces, Paramedics and Hospitals. Finally, conclusions are proposed about the protection provided by the current regulations in the accidents considered (frontal collisions); and recommendations for improving these regulations according to the reduction of injuries in this type of accidents. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.