Expressways routinely have lower crash frequency rates than other roadway types.
a) True
b) False
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is a) True.
Expressways typically have lower crash frequency rates than other roadway types due to several design and safety features. These include controlled access, limited entry and exit points, and higher speed limits. The layout of expressways often includes multiple lanes for each direction, providing a greater capacity for traffic flow, which helps reduce congestion. This reduced congestion limits the likelihood of rear-end collisions and other types of accidents caused by heavy traffic.
The presence of barriers, both physical (such as medians and guardrails) and non-physical (such as road markings and signage), helps prevent cross-traffic collisions. Moreover, expressways generally do not have intersections with cross traffic or pedestrians, which are common points for accidents on other road types. This lack of intersecting vehicles or pedestrians significantly decreases the potential for accidents compared to roads where vehicles have to stop or yield at intersections.
Another contributing factor is the higher level of maintenance typically found on expressways. These roads are often maintained to a higher standard than rural or local roads, which reduces the risk of accidents caused by poor road conditions, such as potholes or debris. Additionally, traffic on expressways tends to follow more predictable patterns because of the uniformity in speed limits and lane structure, reducing the chances of sudden, erratic maneuvers.
However, expressways are not without risks. High-speed crashes on expressways can be more severe when they do occur due to the higher speeds involved. Still, overall, the lower number of intersections, better road design, and improved traffic flow contribute to the overall safety advantage of expressways compared to other types of roads.