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Lane Change

Lane change crashes occur when one vehicle attempts to change lanes and collides with another vehicle travelling in the same direction. This crash type is most common on higher volume multi-lane roads (such as motorways and urban arterial roads).

These crashes are common where traffic merges or diverges and where the number of lanes is reduced.

It is also common where there is roadside activity (such as roadside markets or locations where public transport vehicles pick up and drop off passengers).

The severity of the collision between the vehicles of common size is often low, due to low relative speeds. However, if vehicles or road users of different size collide, the consequences can be very severe (e.g. motorcyclist and car, car and truck).

Typical factors which may add to lane change crash risk include:

Name Cost rating Effectiveness
Central Turning Lane Full Length Low 10 – 25%
Delineation Low 10 – 25%
Intersection – Delineation Low 10 – 25%
Intersection – Grade Separation High 25 – 40%
Intersection – Turn Lanes (Signalised) Low to Medium 10 – 25%
Intersection – Turn Lanes (Unsignalised) Low to Medium 10 – 25%
Motorcycle Lanes Medium 25 – 40%
Parking Improvements Low to Medium 10 – 25%
Regulate Roadside Commercial Activity Low to Medium 10 – 25%
Speed Management Medium 25 – 40%
Traffic Calming Medium to High 25 – 40%

  • A motorcycle crash. Image credit: iStock
  • Motorcyclist Star Ratings by road user type based on a 358,000km sample of roads across 54 countries. Image credit: iRAP
  • Vehicle occupant Star Ratings by road user type based on a 358,000km sample of roads across 54 countries. Image credit: iRAP
  • Lane change left
  • Side swipe crash in Singapore. Image credit: Alina Burlacu
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