Human Factors Experts Evaluate Inadequate Signage Leading to Automotive Accident

Case Overview

This case involves a multi-car accident in Massachusetts. On the morning of the accident, the plaintiffs were idling on a highway on-ramp, as traffic was backed up following an earlier accident. Their vehicle was in a work zone, and there were road work construction signs preparing the road user in advance of certain aspects of the road work. However, no signage was placed on this particular ramp. A large tractor trailer entered the ramp and hit the plaintiff which cause a chain reaction of multiple cars being hit as well. According to multiple witnesses, there were not any signs indicating the construction or lane closure.

Questions to the Occupational Health and Safety expert and their responses

How does road signs or lack there of effect driving tendencies in drivers?

In processes involving divided attention and multi-tasking, it is imperative to provide advance warning systems for any changes in the status quo. How far in advance appropriate signage should be provided depends on the severity (for example, a single-lane versus multiple-lane closure) and urgency (for example a suddenly occurring congestion due to a traffic crash versus ongoing congestion due to construction), but signs should clearly indicate the nature of the change and be clearly visible. Signs generally indicating ongoing construction may be insufficient as different drivers may perceive general statements differently and with different levels of alertness and driving speed. Signs more specifically indicating traffic backup and similar incidences would almost certainly keep drivers more alert, result in reduced speed and prevent crashes.

Have you reviewed similar cases?

Based on the limited facts presented in this case, the lack of appropriate signage appears to be a safety issue and to have caused an easily preventable crash.

About the expert

This expert is an Associate Professor and the Director of Research at an MD university's Information Systems Department. His research areas include cognitive science, usability testing, user preferences and Human Computer Interaction (HCI) applications in the domains of World-Wide-Web, mobile computing, electronic and mobile commerce, online communities, and health care. Some of his recent publications appeared in Behaviour and Information Technology, International Journal of Human Computer Interaction, Journal of Organizational Computing and Electronic Commerce, and the Human Computer Interaction Handbook Second Edition. He is currently on the Editorial Board of International Journal of Human Computer Interaction, and Associate Editor of International Journal of Electronic Financeand Electronic Government: An International Journal.

E-075269

Specialties:

Occupational Health and Safety