Study of van roadworthiness considering their maintenance and periodic inspection. The Spanish case

Abstract

In Europe, traffic road safety has clearly improved due to many factors. One of them is the improvement of the roadworthiness. However, accidents of vans and light goods vehicles (LGV) have not followed the decreasing tendency of other vehicles.

Several studies suggest that vehicle defects are relevant to the cause of accidents. It would be ideal if vehicle owners continuously kept their vehicles in compliance with the roadworthiness standards. Another important aspect to operate with roadworthy vans is the maintenance programs. It is probable that many van owners do not adequately maintain their vehicles or the maintenance programs are not sufficient with the periodic motor vehicle inspections (PMVI) intervals or with the items inspected.

This paper analyses the maintenance schedules and PMVI of vans in order to assess the influence of these parameters in their higher accident rate.

The conclusions provided can enable public administrations to modify enforcement laws, regarding time control of driving and PMVI.

Keywords:

• Safety
• Roadworthiness
• Maintenance
• Periodic motor vehicle inspection
• Van
• Light goods vehicles

Acknowledgement

Authors gratefully acknowledge the funds provided by the Spanish Government through the research project FURGOSEG – P24/08 “Development and application of an integrate methodology for the study of the traffic accidents with LTVs involved,” of the Spanish National Research Plan 2008–2011.