Why Are We Here?

There is a specially trained team within Škoda Auto Technical Development that is able to investigate real accidents involving Škoda cars (no more than three years old).

Co-operating elements of the Integrated Emergency System (in particular the Police of the Czech Republic and the Fire Brigade) inform the research team of accidents during which retention systems (safety belt retractors, airbags, etc.) were activated, persons suffered injuries or a collision with another road user (pedestrian, cyclist, etc.) occurred.

 

What Data Do We Gather?

The data and knowledge obtained serve, together with information ascertained during standard impact tests, to further improve active and passive safety of currently produced and newly developed automobiles. They are valuable also for a number of preventative activities that support road traffic safety. They provide important arguments for topics that have to be explained to drivers and other road users.

Examination of Place of Accident

- Final position of vehicles and occupants outside or inside vehicle;
- Tracks on carriageway and in surrounding area (tyre, friction tracks, tracks on other items…);
- Wider area of place of accident (view of section, condition of road signs, etc.);
- Weather conditions.

Technical Part

- Detailed examination of car (technical condition, degree of damage…);
- Verification of function of active and passive safety elements;
- Uncovering of risky behaviour (safety belts not fastened, luggage not secured, limbs on airbag…);
- Setting of steering wheel and seats;
- Other influences (dirty glass, smoking, eating food…);
- Handling of car during recovery.

Co-operation with parties to accidents – medical and psychological part

We proceed very sensitively during our activities. We know what a difficult situation people and their close ones are in after they have experienced an accident and we fully respect their medical and mental condition. In this we work closely with the Czech Association of Traffic Accident Victims. (The site is available in Czech only.)

Medical Part

- Medical condition before an accident (diabetic, sight problem) and its influence on the accident;
- Injuries to people involved and course of treatment;
- Mechanism by which various injuries arose (car x occupants, pedestrians, cyclists…);
- The data obtained are anonymised.

Psychological Part:

- Interview with participants – subjective description of accident events;
- Their personal view of the circumstances of an accident (whether something could have helped
  prevent an accident);
- Hampering influences in the environment (sun, illegible signs, restricted view);
- Physical and mental comfort when driving;
- The research does not deal with the question of fault for an accident, but the possibility of averting 
   it with the help of new technologies or systems in a car (no matter who caused the accident).