Trafikfel

Trafikfel is a Swedish term used to describe failures, mistakes, or faults that affect road traffic safety and efficiency. It covers errors by road users, defects in vehicles, and problems in infrastructure. The concept is used by transport authorities and researchers to identify factors that contribute to accidents, traffic jams, or other safety hazards.

The main categories of trafikfel include: human factors, such as driving errors, distraction, speeding, fatigue, impairment from alcohol or drugs, and misjudgments; vehicle factors, including brake or steering failures, tire defects, lighting problems, and other mechanical faults; and infrastructure factors, such as potholes, inadequate signage, faulty traffic signals, poor lane markings, or unsafe pedestrian facilities. Weather and visibility can worsen traffic conditions but are usually treated as contributing conditions rather than trafikfel themselves.

Trafikfel can be detected and analyzed by authorities through traffic surveillance, inspections, accident investigations, and maintenance records. In many cases, offences related to trafikfel are prosecuted under trafikbrott, with penalties that may include fines, license points, or mandatory retraining or corrective actions. The concept also guides safety audits and road design improvements.

Preventive measures to reduce trafikfel include regular vehicle servicing and inspections, driver education and licensing rules, improved road maintenance and signage, and advanced traffic management systems. Data on trafikfel help authorities prioritize safety improvements, allocate resources effectively, and track progress over time.