Bezpieczeństwo towarowego transportu drogowego w Polsce: regionalne wzorce wypadków i koszty uszkodzeń infrastruktury

Marcin Świtała; Maciej Maliszewski; Agata Kowalewska; Rafał Królikowski

doi:10.7409/rabdim.025.017

Published: 2025-09-09

Vol. 24 No. 3 (2025)

Road freight transport safety in Poland: regional accident patterns and infrastructure damage costs

Marcin Świtała

, Maciej Maliszewski

, Agata Kowalewska

, Rafał Królikowski

Section: Articles

https://doi.org/10.7409/rabdim.025.017

Abstract

The article examines the scale and structure of road incidents involving freight transport vehicles in Poland in 2022. Drawing on national statistical data, it investigates both accidents and collisions involving light and heavy trucks, focusing on their distribution by region, road type, incident category, and location. The analysis highlights noticeable regional differences, with the highest numbers of incidents occurring in central and southern Poland, particularly in voivodeships characterised by high traffic volumes and dense infrastructure. Particular attention is given to incidents on motorways and expressways, which, although representing a relatively small proportion of the total network, account for a disproportionate share of truck-related accidents. Furthermore, the study explores typical incident scenarios, showing that side and rear-end collisions are most common, whereas accidents involving pedestrians or head-on collisions are often more severe. The paper also addresses the financial consequences of such events, estimating the cost of road infrastructure restoration resulting from damage caused by heavy goods vehicles. The findings suggest the need for a more differentiated and spatially focused approach to safety management in freight transport, one that accounts for both traffic dynamics and the vulnerability of specific road users and infrastructure.

Keywords:

freight transport, restoration costs, road accidents, road collisions, transport safety

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Świtała, M., Maliszewski, M., Kowalewska, A., & Królikowski, R. (2025). Road freight transport safety in Poland: regional accident patterns and infrastructure damage costs. Roads and Bridges – Drogi I Mosty, 24(3), 297–317. https://doi.org/10.7409/rabdim.025.017

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Road freight transport safety in Poland: regional accident patterns and infrastructure damage costs

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Marcin Świtała

Maciej Maliszewski

Agata Kowalewska

Rafał Królikowski